Ruth Marianna Mosko was born on April 4, 1916, in Denver, Colorado. She was the youngest of ten siblings born to Polish-Jewish immigrants. Ruth grew up in a modest household, where she learned the value of hard work and perseverance from a young age.
Ruth met her future husband, Elliot Handler, while studying at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles. The two soon discovered a shared passion for innovation and creativity. In 1945, they co-founded Mattel Creations, a company that initially produced picture frames.
Ruth Handler is best known for her role in the creation of the iconic Barbie doll. In the early 1950s, Ruth noticed that her daughter, Barbara, often played with paper dolls and imagined them in grown-up roles. Inspired by this observation, Ruth came up with the idea of creating a three-dimensional doll that would allow young girls to project themselves into the future.
Barbie made her debut at the American International Toy Fair in New York City in 1959. The doll quickly became a cultural phenomenon, evolving over the years to represent different professions, cultures, and styles. Ruth's vision for Barbie revolutionized the toy industry and solidified her legacy as a trailblazing entrepreneur.
Aside from her work with Barbie, Ruth also made significant contributions to the field of women's health. After undergoing a radical mastectomy, she founded Ruthton Corp. to manufacture realistic breast prostheses for women. The product, named Nearly Me, provided a much-needed solution for breast cancer survivors seeking comfort and confidence.
Ruth Handler's impact on the toy industry and women's health continues to be felt to this day. Her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to innovation have inspired generations of entrepreneurs and inventors. Ruth passed away on April 27, 2002, but her legacy lives on through the enduring legacy of Barbie and her other groundbreaking creations.
Her children, Kenneth and Barbara Handler, continue to honor their mother's memory by preserving her innovative spirit and commitment to making a positive impact on the world. Ruth's influence will forever be remembered as a shining example of what can be achieved through determination, creativity, and a pioneering spirit.