Listen "From Venus to Barbie (a history of dolls) (ep. 11.4)"
Episode Synopsis
Of all the words I did not think I would have to define, doll probably tops the list. We all know what the quintessential girls’ toy is, right? Only it turns out we don't. Separating the dolls from the statues, idols, effigies, puppets, and fertility symbols is a complex (and possibly hopeless) task in the pre-modern world, but we give it a go in this episode with dolls from prehistoric times, plus Egypt, Greece, Rome, Japan, Peru, and that's all before we get to the mass-produced blockbuster dolls of Europe and the US in the 20th century, including the much beloved and much vilified Barbie herself.
Visit the website (herhalfofhistory.com) for sources, transcripts, and pictures.
This show survives on the support of listeners like you. Support the show on my Patreon page (https://www.patreon.com/user?u=83998235) for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and polls. Or make a one-time donation on Buy Me a Coffee. Your support helps me keep bring the stories of past women into the present.
Join Into History (intohistory.com/herhalfofhistory/) for a community of ad-free history podcasts plus bonus content.
Visit Evergreen Podcasts to listen to more great shows.
Follow me on Threads as Her Half of History.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Visit the website (herhalfofhistory.com) for sources, transcripts, and pictures.
This show survives on the support of listeners like you. Support the show on my Patreon page (https://www.patreon.com/user?u=83998235) for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and polls. Or make a one-time donation on Buy Me a Coffee. Your support helps me keep bring the stories of past women into the present.
Join Into History (intohistory.com/herhalfofhistory/) for a community of ad-free history podcasts plus bonus content.
Visit Evergreen Podcasts to listen to more great shows.
Follow me on Threads as Her Half of History.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
More episodes of the podcast Her Half of History
Period Products (ep. 15.15)
20/11/2025
The Car and the Woman (ep. 15.14)
13/11/2025
The Disposable Diaper (ep. 15.13)
30/10/2025
The Pill (ep. 15.10)
02/10/2025
Birth Control Before the Pill (ep. 15.9)
25/09/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.