Barbie Liberation Organization collection
Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: 94.86
The Barbie Liberation Organization collection is a small compilation of flyers, instructions, and planning documents. The collection also includes two VHS tapes about the BLO’s plan to switch voice boxes in G.I. Joe action figures and Teen Talk Barbie dolls.
The Barbie Liberation Organization collection has been arranged into two series. This collection is housed in one archival document box.
The Barbie Liberation Organization collection has been arranged into two series. This collection is housed in one archival document box.
Dates
- 1993 - 1994
Creator
- Barbie Liberation Organization (Organization)
Conditions Governing Use
This collection is open for research use by staff of The Strong and by users of its library and archives. Though the donors have not transferred intellectual property rights (including, but not limited to any copyright, trademark, and associated rights therein) to The Strong, they have given permission for The Strong to make copies in all media for museum, educational, and research purposes.
Extent
0.2 Linear Feet (1 box)
Abstract
The Barbie Liberation Organization collection is a compilation of flyers, instructions, and plans for the organization’s notorious doll voice box-switching project.
Historical Note
The Barbie Liberation Organization (BLO) was an anonymous group of nonconformist artists who disapproved of the views conveyed to children by the popular toys Barbie and G.I. Joe. The BLO believed that Barbie and G.I. Joe brainwashed young children into believing in strict gender roles and that the pre-recorded phrases of talking doll variants were sexist. In an effort to “reverse the damage,” the BLO developed a subversive plan to bring attention to these perceived stereotypes.
In 1993, the group’s members purchased numerous Teen Talk Barbie dolls and G.I. Joe action figures from toy stores in order to switch their voice boxes via “surgery.” The BLO then returned the toys to the shelves of toy stores in time for the 1993 holiday season. As expected, parents who unknowingly purchased these altered dolls expressed surprise and outrage. Ultimately, the plan did bring mainstream media attention to the BLO mission. It is unknown how many dolls and action figures were affected by this movement.
In 1993, the group’s members purchased numerous Teen Talk Barbie dolls and G.I. Joe action figures from toy stores in order to switch their voice boxes via “surgery.” The BLO then returned the toys to the shelves of toy stores in time for the 1993 holiday season. As expected, parents who unknowingly purchased these altered dolls expressed surprise and outrage. Ultimately, the plan did bring mainstream media attention to the BLO mission. It is unknown how many dolls and action figures were affected by this movement.
System of Arrangement
Series I: Barbie Liberation Organization (BLO) planning materials, 1993-1994
Series II: VHS tapes, 1993
Custodial History
The Barbie Liberation Organization collection was donated to The Strong in January 1994 as a gift from The Barbie Liberation Organization. The collection was accessioned under Object ID 94.86.
Processed by
Kelli Emler, August 2015
Creator
- Barbie Liberation Organization (Organization)
- BLO (Organization)
- Title
- Finding Aid to the Barbie Liberation Organization Collection, 1993-1994
- Status
- completed
- Author
- Kelli Emler and Julia Novakovic
- Date
- September 2015
- Description rules
- dacs
Repository Details
Part of the Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play at The Strong Repository
Contact:
The Strong
One Manhattan Square
Rochester NY 14607 USA
585.263.2700
585.423.1886 (Fax)
library@museumofplay.org
The Strong
One Manhattan Square
Rochester NY 14607 USA
585.263.2700
585.423.1886 (Fax)
library@museumofplay.org