This post is for, Hump Day, a SexiDesign.com weekly blog series dedicated to investigating subliminal messages and popular sexy marketing techniques in design.

…Your eyes pan up to take in the sight of those sexy curves where the thigh meets the ass. Her tiny waist only brings emphasis to those perky breasts, seemingly unrestrained by the skin tight mini dress. You steal a glimpse at her delicious cleavage, her eyes staring back at you through the delicate layers of intricate rainbow eyeshadow and flirty lashes…

…”Daddy I want that one!

Barbie’s Erotic Origins

Barbie has been a fashion doll icon and best friend to young girls for decades. Her flirty yet anatomically incorrect physique has been the topic of speculation and controversy for years. But what really inspired one of the most recognizable brands of the 20th century?

Bild Lilli Doll: German Sex Doll and Future Barbie

Lilli, an overtly sexual German damsel was a popular adult cartoon in the early 1950′s. Created by Reinhard Beuthein for the Bild-Zeitung newspaper, Lilli was known for her ambitious pursuit for wealthy men and sassy view towards sex and fashion.

“Which piece do you want me to take off?” – Lilli [said to an officer who mentioned the ban of two-piece swim suits].

Popularity for Lilli grew to the point where a voluptuous doll was manufactured in her sexy honor. She was distributed as an adult novelty item, a pricey sex doll for adult gags and entertainment.

“…Lilli was never intended for children: She was a pornographic caricature, a gag gift for men…” – Barbie Forever

The Birth of Barbie

Ruth Handler, cofounder of Mattel, always knew that she wanted to create an adult-figured doll but it wasn’t until she took a trip to Europe that she stumbled across the very prototype of it. She took the Lilli doll home with her to the United States and made minor tweaks to the design, but literally cloned the sexed-up features of the original Lilli doll.

At first, “Barbie’s” curvy pubescent design was not a hit with parents, but children immediately took a hold onto this vixenish role model of womanhood.

Changes Made to Barbie Throughout the Years

1971 – Barbie’s eyes are changed to look forward instead of the demure sideways glance

1967 – First black Barbie appeared sans typical african-american features

1997 – Barbie’s body mold was redesigned to “fit the styles of present fashion” but was also a solution to criticism over the doll’s unrealistic body type.

Barbie: A Sex Icon

Despite the intention of it’s creators, Barbie will remain as a sexy, sultry icon for her time. Children flock to her as an ideal of the lifestyle and person they would like to become. She provided some of my first encounters with topics like sex, health, and body image.

Does this mean that my life-sized dancing Barbie was my first ever “real doll?” hahaha…