Barbie Gets Tech
2.16.10 | We noted in a Playback post last month that Barbie was ready to embark upon a new career—her 125th, in fact. This time, however, Mattel put the employment decision up to a vote.
Still feeling the sting from Barbie’s “Math class is tough!” days, Women in STEM fields—as we saw in this LinkedIn discussion by members of the Anita Borg Institute for Women in Technology—spread the word to drum up support for the job title of computer engineer. The other options included environmentalist, surgeon, architect and news anchor.
The envelope please ...
Well, Barbie’s 125th career is news anchor. But in a surprise move, motivated apparently by the enthusiastic viral response of geek girls and women everywhere, Mattel announced the 126th career as well. Computer Engineer Barbie will debut in winter 2010. Let the celebration begin.
For a series of photos from the unveiling, head over to Chip Chicklets.
Mattel says it took the design of its first tech Barbie seriously:
To create an authentic look, Barbie designers worked closely with the Society of Women Engineers and the National Academy of Engineering to develop the wardrobe and accessories for Computer Engineer Barbie. Wearing a binary code patterned tee and equipped with all the latest gadgets including a smart phone, Bluetooth headset, and laptop travel bag, Computer Engineer Barbie is geek chic.
Nora Lin, president of the Society of Women Engineers, sees Barbie’s new career as the perfect fit: “All the girls who imagine their futures through Barbie will learn that engineers — like girls — are free to explore infinite possibilities, limited only by their imagination. As a computer engineer, Barbie will show girls that women can turn their ideas into realities that have a direct and positive impact on people’s everyday lives in this exciting and rewarding career.”
If you take a look at the career possibilities presently available in Barbie’s “I Can Be” series of dolls, the infinite possibilities have been actually rather limited. Almost all the careers available, with the exception of “Racecar Driver,” are “pink collar”—jobs that do not upset gender stereotypes. Barbie is not simply a doctor, for example; she is a “Newborn Baby Doctor.”
So an unabashed geek, who appears to be more into her gadgets than her hairstyle, is welcome progress. It looks like Computer Engineer Barbie even might be wearing flats (pink, of course) instead of heels.
Plus: Chip Chicklets also has news of a Barbie Video Girl Doll. Unfortunately in this case, girls are encouraged to film Barbie’s view of the world instead of their own.
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jason
2/17/10
8:24pm
What’s most remarkable is that the Computer Engineer outfit actually covers her body. It’s actually an outfit a normal person would wear. Now, that’s revolutionary. I’m sure Barbie’s impossible body image is the same as always, but it’s nice to see it’s not the focus.
Laura S.
2/18/10
8:49pm
I’m happy about this, but we need to do so much more to alter the still powerful cultural bias against girls and STEM. I need to see a women carrying a show like CSI ... Scully and Bones have been nice role models—but they aren’t carrying their shows - they aren’t the boss. We also need to recognize that making a career in STEM will take grit and a thick skin. I’m thinking we need another Helen Mirren in the “Prime Suspect” ...
Connie (Cambridge)
3/3/10
7:41am
Some progress is better than no progress. I guess. Of course, given the ubiquity of laptops and smart phones amongst all professions, this Barbie may not immediately inspire young girls to think, “Wow, she’s a computer engineer!”. The binary code tee IS rather subtle.
On a rather self-serving note, a vote worth casting is the following.
Science Club for Girls idea to create a cool, science-based hangout for girls and teens has been selected to compete for the $250K Pepsi Refresh Challenge. The 2 ideas that receive the most votes win. We’ve moved from 101 to the 80’s in the last two days.
When I searched the 1000+ ideas on the site for “girls” & “science”, I can hardly find another cause with the same theme. We need your vote and to spread the word.
You can vote for us at http://www.refresheverything.com/scienceclubforgirls