I never owned a Barbie or played with one when I was a kid, but I have to say that as a big horror movie buff, I really want this Birds Barbie.
Anyways, I got a lot of messages saying I should do a Barbie post, so here goes…
The inspiration for Barbie came from a German doll called Bild Lilli. Bild Lilli (swipe left) was a popular comic strip character created by Reinhard Beuthien, and the comic strip appeared in the German tabloid newspaper "Bild" from 1952 to 1961.
Lilli was a high-end call girl who used her charm and wit to seduce wealthy men. She was also known to rally against male authority. In one particular comic, a policeman warns Lilli about public indecency for wearing her bikini on the sidewalk to which she replies, “Oh, and in your opinion, what part should I take off?”
Ruth Handler, the co-founder of Mattel, discovered Bild Lilli during a trip to Europe in 1956. She purchased a few Lilli dolls as souvenirs and noticed that her daughter Barbara enjoyed playing with them. Ruth Handler saw potential in the adult-like, fashion-forward doll and got the idea to create a similar doll line that would appeal to young girls. Thus, the concept for Barbie was born. Her son, whose name was Kenneth, would later go on to inspire the Ken doll.
Mattel officially introduced Barbie at the American International Toy Fair in New York City on March 9, 1959. Barbie was marketed as a teenage fashion model, different from the traditional baby dolls prevalent at the time. In 1964, Mattel bought the rights to Bild Lilli and the production of the German doll was put to an end.
The Barbie doll quickly gained popularity and went on to become an iconic and enduring toy, inspiring generations of children around the world. Currently, Barbie has had more than 200 careers, including many in STEM.

*Text History Cool Kids

Mystagogue

A mystagogue ( "person who initiates into mysteries") is a person who initiates others into mystic beliefs, and an educator or person who has knowledge of the sacred mysteries of a belief system. Another word for mystagogue is hierophant.
In ancient mystery religions, a mystagogue would be responsible for leading an initiate into the secret teachings and rituals of a cultus. The initiate would often be blindfolded, and the mystagogue would literally "guide" him into the sacred space.

In the United States versions of mystagogical legends predate European contact. Early Native American tribes around the Great Lakes region, taught that the mystagogue was a spiritual leader, and upon death would transform into a beast with many heads. The mystagogue would reappear in his beastly form and feed on those who strayed from the tribe if it was not in keeping with their religious customs.
The historical tradition of the mystagogue has carried on today in one way through the fraternity system in American universities, that have historically held a position for a mystagogue at either the chapter or the national level. The mystagogue is a person of great respect, and his knowledge concerning both the physical and spiritual matters of the organization is not questioned. In a way similar to that of some Native American traditions, the mystagogue in the fraternity system has the power to shut down parts of the fraternity which are not in keeping with customs or tradition.
Max Weber, considered to be one of the founders of the modern study of sociology, described the mystagogue as part magician and part prophet, and as one who dispensed "magical actions that contain the boons of salvation."

Curious day
Agradable Sunday 🌻

"Confidence."

Miles Goodwin