Retake with John Horn

LA Made: The Barbie Tapes: When Girls--And Barbie--Could Do Anything

07.21.2023 - By LAist StudiosPlay

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

In this episode, Ruth and Elliot Handler are gone, and the new Mattel team, led by a man who feared the volatility of the toy business, diversified the company and made a big gamble on electronics. It didn’t work. Fortunately, Barbie ends up in the sure hands of some trailblazing women executives, who could see that the culture was moving in a direction very compatible with Barbie’s persona. From the workforce to the workout, Barbie was a doll of her times.

This podcast is supported by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

From LAist Studios, “LA Made: The Barbie Tapes". 

Listen now at https://laist.com/podcasts/la-made  

More episodes from Retake with John Horn