Barbie was essential to many kids' childhoods ... Ruth actually came across the Bild Lilli doll, a German doll who was portrayed as an adult woman influenced by a comic strip character.

This doll was made by Hertwig & Company of Katzhütte, near Rudolstadt, Thür, Germany.Courtesy of the collector My great-aunt gave me this china doll in the 1950s. I had this on display for years ...

Seemingly immune to becoming obsolete, dolls are a classic toy that kids naturally gravitate to. And while they are simply fun to play with for kids, Amanda Vierheller, the co-founder and COO of ...