Barbie

Portrayed by Matilda’s Rhea Perlman in the record-breaking Barbie movie last year, Ruth Handler was the creator and mind behind the Barbie brand. While many will know the story of Ruth’s creation of Barbie – she saw a German doll whilst on holiday and worked with designer Jack Ryan (also behind Hot Wheels) to create a version for American audiences – many will be unaware of the tales of betrayal and debauchery which lie behind the world’s most famous doll.

Some feminists might choke at the idea that the highly controversial Barbie doll was actually invented by an ardent feminist. This was one of many fascinating insights to emerge from an RTS event devoted to a new feature-length documentary Tiny Shoulders: Rethinking Barbie.

The film examines the changing face of Barbie from a feminist – and occasionally anthropological – perspective since the doll’s debut in 1959.