Why Barbie dolls were considered "expensive" back in the day

I've had some queries from the social club members in Monroe, Mich., to talk about my Barbie doll collection. I did start writing a script, although the event it was written for got canceled and I had a schedule conflict for another requested date.

That being said, I saved the presentation draft on my computer and will update it / rework it as needed. I was reminded of some interesting details while reviewing my reference books, particularly on the cost of the dolls. Here's the snippet from my program on that topic:
 

The first dolls we know as Barbie were made at a factory in Japan. They were introduced at the 1959 International American Toy Fair in New York. Barbie’s birthday is considered to be March 9, 1959, in honor of her debut at the toy show.

No one had seen anything like this in America. Some people in the toy business liked it, some didn’t. Some parents liked it, some didn’t.

The earliest fashions were as detailed as if they were made for a real person. They were typically hand-stitched and made of the best fabrics available. The earliest styles included a two-piece suit called “commuter set” that cost $2.50 and a wedding dress set for $5. Now keep in mind that the doll herself cost $3.

This actually was a very expensive toy at the time. When I compared common household prices from the late 1950s to today’s prices, it’s pretty clear that a Barbie doll in 1959 would cost the equivalent of $30 today. And that wedding dress set would cost $50 today. (For comparison ... look at this chart that was on a 1960 year in review history page I bought at a scrapbook shop several years ago. Median family income then was $5,620 ... median family income in 2009 in Monroe, Mich., was about $52,000, etc..)

Did you wonder why the grownups in your family who would were little girls during the 1960s had so many handmade doll clothes in their collection? That’s why. Any mom or grandma who had a sewing machine, as many women did back then, could make adorable outfits for Barbie and her friends for a lot cheaper than the outfits that were sold in stores.

Why was the doll so expensive? You can get a bathing suit Barbie doll for only $5 now.

Here’s my guess: the creation and manufacture of Barbie was a trial and error process.

For example, very first Barbie dolls had holes in their feet in hopes that a doll stand could hold her up that way. But that idea didn’t work out, and the holes in the bottom of a Barbie’s feet were quickly dropped. You’ll find that the easiest way to get Barbie to stand is with a stand that wraps around her waist, although there are stands for some dolls that go between her legs or grab one leg.

The earliest dolls also were made of solid vinyl. So they were much heavier in weight than today’s dolls, which are hollow inside.

Here is another problem that took years to notice: the older dolls who were given metal earrings often get green discoloration around the ears because the earrings reacted funny over time with the doll’s body. Doll collectors who have tried to erase the green stain say it’s difficult, and sometimes impossible, to remove.

And the Talking Barbie produced in 1967 has been known to break even if never removed from box because of the problems in trying to squeeze the talking mechanics into the doll.

So as you look at today’s Barbie on the toy shelves or play with them, be aware that you are enjoying more than 50 years of Mattel learning not only what appeals to little girls, but also how the doll can hold up to many hours of play time. ...