ASTRONAUT BARBIE

I've never given much thought to Barbie dolls, other than to notice their odd message of consumerism and unnatural proportions- oh, and lots of kids seem to love them! But it's always been clear to me that the dolls (and especially, the accessories!) have sold well since Barbie first debuted in 1959. I once helped to run a toy shop for a year and witnessed first-hand the ongoing popularity of the brand. Fast-forward to Spy Vibe and I begin to take more notice of the fashion history and perhaps ways the dolls reflected their times. I suppose most people are familiar with the typical Barbie identities that envision her hanging out at beach houses and going on dates. And there have been many apt criticisms about how the doll's disproportionate design and limited roles have perhaps entertained -and hurt- girls in equal measure. I didn't expect much from Mattel as I looked a little deeper, but was surprised to learn the company launched a Miss Astronaut Barbie and Mr. Astronaut Ken in 1965. Four years before the Apollo landing, Barbie was in space! Incidentally, the first woman in space was Russian Cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova in 1963! But there was a Barbie for the Space Race.

If fact, Mattel has marketed a career range for Barbie throughout the decades to promote inventor Ruth Handler's vision that "through the doll, a little girl could be anything." In practice, the message was pretty limited, unfortunately. Yes, there was a Barbie astronaut, but the accent was heavily on cosmetics and fashion more than scientific exploration- the later anniversary edition included on the box "yes, I am a rocket scientist". But sure, the fashion aspect can be really cool from a design perspective. Other careers for Barbie at the time were predictable options such as stewardess, nurse, fashion model, ballerina, business-woman, and... babysitter. OK, stereotypes of the age, but how bad could it be, you ask? Just consider the 1965 Slumber Party set, for example, which included a miniature weight scale and little books titled "Don't Eat" and "How to Lose Weight." What child doesn't love shaming and image obsession? Yikes. These items were eventually pulled from the set by 1967. Barbie's horizons did expand a bit in the 1970s with surgeon (but with a skimpy cut to accentuate her legs) and Olympic athlete. I found the new documentary series The Toys That Made Us (Netflix) really interesting, and the Barbie episode was a good intro into the history. I seem to remember one of the interviewees talking about how some of the choices re: body proportions was due to needing a foundation shape that could accept the thick, folded fabrics of the costumes properly (the fabrics would have otherwise been too bulky to fit smoothly). Seems hard to believe in that era of new developments in synthetic materials. When I asked historian, writer, cartoonist Trina Robbins about her impressions of Barbie, she talked about how she felt back then about the doll's unrealistic dimensions and about working later on the official Barbie comic book. "I hated Barbie in the 60s! I thought she was a terrible body image for little girls. When my daughter was a little girl I had to change my perception just a little because she really, really wanted a Barbie, and it would have been cruel not to get her one when all the other little girls had Barbies. Then in the 90s, I was one of the writers on Marvel's Barbie comics and we really did a good job. We didn't have her shopping all the time- we did some realty good stories, dealing with anorexia, a girl who's ashamed of her mother because her mom is deaf, stuff like that. And I even did some mild mysteries, which I really enjoyed writing. We were practically an all-woman group (I called the artists "the Barbie Four") a woman editor and women writers and artists, and there was nothing else out there for girls." This all reminds me of a great 1998 poem and recording by my friend Nerissa Nields (I enjoyed re-mixing it once to music), which you can read about at her blog here. Perhaps Barbie has sparked these kinds of discussions because her image has so ubiquitous in an industry that otherwise did not market many role-model alternatives. Naomi Wolf has said “The harm of these images is not that they exist, but that they proliferate at the expense of most other images and stories of female heroines. If the icon of the anorexic fashion model were one flat image out of a full spectrum in which young girls could find a thousand wild and tantalizing visions of possible futures, that icon would not have the power to hurt them.” Looking at the current Mattel site, it would appear the company is working to expand the message of the brand to support the inventor's hope that the doll could inspire girls to be anything ("more role models" is the current slogan). And there are dolls now with different face shapes and nationalities (my students tell me they still mostly see only white dolls in TV ads), but the final hurdle of change re: role modeling will have to come down to evaluating the doll's range re: glamour and body type. The company will have to invest in tooling new figures. I love that there has been an astronaut Barbie, but I also hope to see awesome Barbies of all types doing a wider range of amazing things. More role models- really go for it! Kids deserve it. I began this saying that I've never given much thought to Barbie dolls. That's because, as a boy, there were endless action figures, cars, and playlets marketed to me. I didn't have to think about Barbie. Maybe you didn't have to, either? But I'm glad to know a bit more about her complicated past and place in culture. Some kids love her; some kids question her. And yes, that astronaut outfit was so awesome! Explore Barbie at Mythanthrope and Mattel. Entertainment Tonight looks at the most controversial Barbies. Below: Astronaut Barbie designed in 1965. Related post: Interview: Trina Robbins- Trina and I talk about Honey West, Miss Fury, Emma Peel & more! Spy Vibers, please check out my new book about one of America's most successful cartoonists. Enjoy!

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Eurospy Music Collection, Beetle Bailey in West Berlin, Why Mort Walker?, Spy Vibe radio: The Beatles Help!, Avengers Critical Guide, The Spotnicks, Benny Spies, James Pond 0017', Satire Stones, Annette Andre Book, Cat Day, Spy Vibe Radio: Get Smart, Caine: My Generation, Interview: Ian Ogilvy, ITC Elstree Event, Horror of Party Beach, Sylvie Vartan Renown, Ringo At 78, Dark Shadows Strips, Spy Vibe Radio: Flint, Archie Batman 66, Paul at 76, Beatles Pac-Man, Spy Vibe Radio: Jerry Cotton, The Invaders, 007 Horowitz Book Tour, McGoohan/Prisoner Event at Elstree, The Prisoner Interviews Vol 1, British Underground Press, Interview: Fab4 Mania, Bond Cocktail Book, Bond at Bletchley, Spy Smasher, Spy Vibe Radio: Peter Gunn, Agent Zero M, New Prisoner Comic, Dr. No Villains Edition,  Spy Vibe Radio: Danger Diabolik, Dr. No 60th, Oy-Oy-Seven, Spy Vibe Radio (UFO), Cold War Comic Strips, Thunderball Event, Mission to India, Mort Walker Celebration,  Peter Wyngarde Celebration, Batman 66 Exhibit, Prisoner Fifty Event, Ian Fleming Publications 2017-2018, Interview: Ed Hulse Pulp, Avengers Audio Drama, Interview: Callan At 50, Interview: Playboys, Spies, Private Eyes, TWA Returns, Spy Vibe Radio 8, Interview: Ryan Heshka, Mid-Century Modern Schulz, Agent Werewolf, Mata Hair Exhibit, Johnny Sokko 50th, Interview: Trina Robbins, Eddie Izzard, The Prisoner Capt Scarlet 50th, Hugh Hefner R.I.P., Jack Good R.I.P., Interview: Shaken Not Stirred, Callan 50th, Spy Vibe Radio 7, The Prisoner 50th Event, Spy-Fi Event, Kaho Aso 007, Two Million, Bo Diddley, Carnaby Pop, Le Carre Events, Billy Bragg Skiffle, Elvis 68, Jack Kirby The Prisoner, Casino Royale Concert, Review: The Prisoner Vol 2, Interview: The Prisoner Essential Guide, Maud Russell Mottisfont, Spy Vibe Radio 4, Batman Gallants, Adam West R.I.P., Village Triangle, Roger Moore R.I.P., Spy Vibe Radio 3, Sgt Pepper 50th, Satanik Kriminal OST, 60s Overdrive, Make Love in London, Spy Vibe Radio 2, Spy Vibe Radio 1, James Bond Strips, Propaganda Mabuse, Interview: Police Surgeon, XTC Avengers, 1966 Pep Spies, Batman Book Interview, Exclusive Fleming Interview, Avengers Comic Strips, Robert Vaughn RIP, UNCLE Fashions, Thunderbirds Are Pop!, Interview: Spy Film Guide, Lost Avengers Found, The Callan File, Mission Impossible 50th, Green Hornet 50th, Star Trek 50th, Portmeirion Photography 1, Filming the Prisoner, Gaiman McGinnins Project, Ian Fleming Grave, Revolver at 50, Karen Romanko Interview, Mod Tales 2, Umbrella Man: Patrick Macnee, New Beatles Film, The Curious Camera, Esterel Fashion 1966, Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview, 007 Tribute Covers, The Phantom Avon novels return, Ian Fleming Festival, Argoman Design, Sylvia Anderson R.I.P., Ken Adam R.I.P., George Martin R.I.P., The New Avengers Comics, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review.

X-15 V-RROOM!

Space-age Saturday: Spy Vibers who were born during the Space-Age may remember a Mattel tricycle with special features called the X-15. This super trike was patterned after the original X-15, which was built by a joint program between NASA, the Air Force, and the Navy. The X-15 had its first unpowered flight in 1959, and then launched from B-52s in a number of hypersonic test flights through the mid-1960s. The data it recorded contributed to the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and Space Shuttle missions. Mattel produced their X-15 in metallic blue and blue-green, and outfitted it with cool gadgets like a seatbelt with metal buckle, jet-style navigation stick, articulated back wheels for sharp turns, and Mattel's own V-Rroom engine effect with dash activation and a side speaker. I was one of the lucky kids who had this when I was little- probably a tag-sale find, but I don't remember the details. What I do recall is flipping the V-Rroom! switch and feeling the rush as I imagined my X-15 taking off into the outer atmosphere! Mattel also produced a Batman version of the X-15 in 1966. Vintage ads and images below. Learn more: Nasa history,  Eric Mack, Tricycle Fetish. Happy weekend, Spy Vibers!

Recent Spy Vibe posts: Thunderbirds Comics, Shakespeare Spies: Diana Rigg, Shakespeare Spies I, Batman News, Monty Python Fathom Spies, Monty Python Returns!, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Avengers Book: Bowler Hats & Kinky Boots, George Lois Design & Mad Men, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, The Spotnicks, Model Secret Agents, Remo Williams Blu-ray, Bunny Yeager and Ursula Andress, Danger Mouse, Lost Avengers Episodes, Big Fun Toys, Danger Diabolik Soundtrack, Mother's Day (Avengers), Mod Fashion Dolls, Cold War Archie, New Avengers Comic, Ipcress File Blu-ray, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, The 10th Victim German Edition, UNCLE Gun, The Saint books return, Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.

SPACE DESIGN

Spy Vibers have been interested in yesterday's post about designer Raymond Loewy and his designs for Ian Fleming's Avanti. Here are bonus images of some of Loewy's concepts for NASA's Mercury, Apollo, and Skylab missions. Loewy's book Industrial Design here. Spy Vibe's coverage of the Dieter Rams design exhibit at SFMOMA here. More about Skylab's design process here. 

Recent Spy Vibe posts: Steranko S.H.I.E.L.D. Artist Editions, David Tennant's Ian Fleming audio books, The Prisoner & Captain Scarlet, HMV returns to Oxford st w Beatles promo, Diego Fortunato & Verner Panton,  Saturday Morning Cartoons, Assassination Bureau on DVD, new Young Bond series,  Peter Asher, Gerry Marsden tour, Elio Petri on Blu-ray, Sophia Loren, new Beatles BBC album, new Hercule Poirot novel, Beatles fall 2013 releases, A Hard Days Night cinematographer dies, Magic Christian on Blu-ray, Early Beatles image archive, Julie Newmar, Erno Goldfinger, Hitchcock tribute

Recent Ian Fleming posts on Spy Vibe: Erno Goldfinger, Ian Fleming Music Series links: Noel Coward, Whispering Jack Smith, Hawaiian Guitar, Joe Fingers Carr, new Ian Fleming Catalog, Jon Gilbert interview, Double 007 Designs, Bond audio book reissues, discovery of one of Ian Fleming's WWII Commandos, James Bond book covers, Ian Fleming's Playboy interview for Kindle, Spy Vibe's discovery of a rare Ian Fleming serialization, rare View to a Kill, Fleming's Royal gold typewriter, Ian Fleming's memorial address

HOLIDAY MOON CONTEST

It's the holiday season and Spy Vibe is giving away a present!

Remember when the whole world looked up? I was lucky to see an advanced screening of a documentary film that was produced on the eve of the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. In The Shadow of the Moon (2007) tells the story of NASA's exploration of space in the 1960s through the words of the astronauts themselves. Blending rare and remastered archival footage with intimate, reflective conversations with most of the surviving Apollo astronauts, the film brings us closer than ever to their historic experience of space travel. Back on earth, of course, the world was going through turmoil. Norman Mailer criticized the space program in Of a Fire on the Moon, saying: "The astronauts were the core of some magnetic human force called Americanism, Protestantism, or WASPitude... They were the knights of the Silent Majority, the WASP emerging from human history in order to take us to the stars." There was certainly a political imperative in Kennedy's challenge to be the first nation to put a man on the moon- a big-budget continuation of Nixon's "kitchen" debate with Khrushchev? For an interesting look at the space program, nationalism, and the times, check out Atomic Cafe (1982), For All Mankind (1989), Double Take (2009- includes a Hitchcock impersonator!), and Spike Magazine Mailer article here. What save's David Sington's In the Shadow of the Moon is its great sincerity and focus on the experiences of the astronauts. Although the movie might be less philosophical than the documentary For All Mankind, one gets swept away by these elderly pioneers and the telling of their profound adventure- one that was ultimately, in my mind, beyond borders and ideologies. Not to mention that the space r&d of the era spawned all those advancements in new materials and made space-age fashion possible! See our articles: Mods to Moongirls and Fear and Fashion, and recent Space Camp week.


Spy Vibe is giving away a region 1/NTSC dvd copy of In the Shadow of the Moon (trailer below). To enter, just send an e-mail to me at jason@spyvibe.com with the word "space" in the subject line. The third Spy Viber to e-mail will win the movie. We will resume transmissions after the New Year. Until then, keep looking up in wonder. Happy Holidays from Spy Vibe!