She is an American icon, a business phenomenon and a real doll. Since her introduction on March 9, 1959, Mattel has sold more than 1 billion Barbie dolls, nearly 100 million of those last year alone. She is the ultimate career woman; a strong, single woman; and a three-time presidential candidate. Along the way she has fired the ambitions of countless little girls including me.

When Barbie was first introduced, a gallon of gas was 25 cents, the average annual wage was $5,000 and the very first Ponytail Barbie sold for $3. You could buy clothes and accessories for her from $1 to $5. In the first year, 300,000 Barbie dolls were sold.

This prissy doll with the unbelievable body, more than any other doll represents the trends and happenings in the world. From her black and white stripped swimsuit, blond ponytail and big gold hoops to her new tatooed body she reflects every decade since she was born.

Her first boyfriend, Ken, debuted two years after Barbie in 1961. He was named after the son of Mattel founders Ruth and Elliot Handler. She had three sisters but my favorite was always Skipper.

With the Beatles came Twist n Turn Barbie and her British cousin Stacey. As 60s fashions evolved, so did Barbie from her famous bouffant bubble hairstyle to the sleek hair and clothes of the multi-colored, swirling Mod era.

By 1960 Barbie had a softer look and was offered in a new hair color--red. Three years later and four years before the actual event, Barbie became the first female astronaut.

One of my favorite dolls was one that came with molded hair and three wigs. Another one had bendable legs that were perfect for sitting on all the furniture in her house. She even fit better in the case I carried with her and all her accessories.

By 1971 I was way past playing with my favorite dolls but still kept tabs on Barbie. This was the year she came out in bell bottoms and had a camper.

She became a Dorothy Hamill imitator in 1975. Skater Barbie represented a new era for women that included competitive sports. We could have it all--looking great and playing sports was doable.

She still reflected the trends of the times as she developed diverse styles reflecting the 70s alternative lifestyles. Skirts went from mini to maxi and hair was long and straight.

Next came Malibu Barbie reminding everyone of the Beach Boys "California Girls." Later she danced disco and went "glam," even having a Corvette to style around town.

Barbie and Ken even came in full Star Trek regalia. This was the first Barbie my daughters ever received. Maybe that explains why they never loved her like I did.

By 1986 MTV changed the music industry and Barbie started her own band. She rocked the '80s scene with big hair, big shoulder pads and all the other fashion faux pas we'd like to forget from that decade.

Just before the Gulf War began, Barbie joined the Army and her uniform was even approved by the Pentagon.

Dynasty and Dallas, the popular soap operas inspired executive Barbie. She was a power executive by day and a sophisticate in the evening.

Barbie was introduced in two new ethnicities. For the first time, African-American Barbie-- sporting gorgeous golden makeup-- and Hispanic Barbie came along.

In 1992 Barbie ran for the Oval Office beating the historic race last year by a number of years.

By 1998 when the WNBA began its first basketball season, Barbie took to the courts. Next she got behind the wheel as a NASCAR® driver.

Totally Hair Barbie is the best-selling Barbie doll to date. She came along in the late 1990s and featured the longest locks ever for a Barbie, measuring 101⁄2 inches.

With the new millennium just around the corner, Generation Girl Barbie took on a new sassy, edgy, street-fashion look.

Heartbreak for many of us occurred on Valentine's Day 2004 when Barbie broke up with boyfriend Ken. It was an extremely sad day for all of us Barbie lovers.

Just last year Barbie introduced a collection of eco-friendly accessories for girls. It was bold, beautiful and had plenty of denim.

And, now in 2009, Barbie never looked so good. Especially since granddaughter Riley has discovered Barbie and she and Nana can play all day with cars, houses, clothes and accessories.

Astronaut, doctor, rock star, beach babe -- perhaps more than any other woman in history, Barbie has managed to reinvent herself countless times throughout her 50 years.

In her latest incarnation, Barbie comes with an applicator that allows kids to place tattoos wherever they like on the doll. The latest Barbie carries her own laptop and cell phone.

After all Barbie has been outfitted by more than 70 famous couturiers and has had over 108 different careers. It will be educational for Riley. And, you know Nana's are all about education.

Yeah, that's it; we'll play with all the Barbies so my three-year old granddaughter can learn all about the last fifty decades. It has nothing to do with Nana's love of the doll.