Barbie has also survived many a decade dressed to the nines. Argued by some to have done more damage to women than UVB rays, poor Barbie never set out to cause such an anti-feminist stir in the world. Once upon a time, a woman named Ruth Handler invented Barbie, named after her daughter Barbara. She was developed as a role model playmate - with an extensive wardrobe - along with good values that young Barbara looked up to with a big sister fascination. Ruth never intended for Barbie's breasts to swell to (former) Pamela Anderson proportions. The hard to live up to Barbie - grew out of the same era that sent many real women running to the surgeon for implants - with a little help from the guys on the board at Mattel. The good news is that long after her dealings with Barbie had been signed over to her manufacturer, the illustrious Mrs. Handler developed the first synthetic bra insert for women who had undergone mastectomies. The bad news is that the Barbie of now - did not take her cue from Pamela - and has stubbornly refused to get her implants removed. We also hear that Miss B is one very uncooperative model. Author and vintage historian extrordinaire Keni Valenti knows. Not only did he write the book, (Barbie Doll, Running Press), but he also styled the pocket pictorial of Barbie through the ages from his own collection. Each photo ready pose was achieved by hanging the supermodel from fishing wire with tiny clips. Unable to stand upright for very long, Barbie would continuously collapse, as would her hair, that Keni would then have to restyle. Fortunately the drama of behind the scenes with Barbie got fixed in post. Small, yet mighty, this little book hits the nail on the head as the ideal overview of fashion of the past half century, and fits in your wallet. Stay tuned for more advanced literary achievements from Mr.Valenti next year. Barbie does Mackie. Circa 1970.