As managing editor of Mattel Inc.'s Barbie turns 50 this year -- the doll was introduced at the American International Toy Fair in New York on March 4, 1959 -- and the International Herald Tribune jumped ahead just a bit with a feature story about the icon.
There are tons of Barbie Web sites out there, so if you're interested in more information feel free to surf the 'net. Wikipedia is a good place to start -- that's where I learned that Barbie's body orginally was made of PVC, but the modern versions are ABS (although the head is still made of vinyl).
For more materials-related Barbie information, check WebMD's "Malibu Barbie, Holiday Barbie ... Toxic Barbie?"