Cool Shoppin' Barbie

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Object Details

Description

The American toy company Mattel manufactured and sold Cool Shoppin’ Barbie in 1997. The fashion doll came with her own clothing store that sold shirts, skirts, sunglasses, shoes, perfume, and purses and had a cash register, bar code scanner, and credit card reader. Barbie had her own MasterCard, and would say “credit approved” when a button was pushed.

Parents and consumer advocates complained that Barbie should not encourage excessive spending and credit debt or advertise the MasterCard brand to young children. While Cool Shoppin’ Barbie sold well during the 1997 holiday season, the contract between Barbie and MasterCard was not renewed the next year—making the toy a sought after collectible.

ID Number

2013.3116.01

nonaccession number

2013.3116

catalog number

2013.3116.01

accession number

2013.3116

Object Name

doll

Physical Description

vinyl (doll material)

synthetic fibers (doll hair material)

Measurements

overall: 12 1/2 in x 5 1/4 in x 4 in; 31.75 cm x 13.335 cm x 10.16 cm

Related Publication

Sewer, Andy; Allison, David; Liebhold, Peter; Davis, Nancy; Franz, Kathleen G.. American Enterprise: A History of Business in America

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Work and Industry: Production and Manufacturing

Popular Entertainment

Advertising

American Enterprise

Exhibition

American Enterprise

Exhibition Location

National Museum of American History

Data Source