Barbie Goes Digital

Barbie, the doll responsible for the self-esteem problems of millions of little girls has gone techno! Let's not forget that Barbie's figure in real-person measurements is an impossible 36-18-38.

Mattel (MAT, news, msgs) this week unveiled its newest Barbie: a $60 device that connects girls to a new Web site, BarbieGirls.com. Mattel is hoping that Barbie Girls will reinvigorate the brand and serve as a case study in how a 1950s-era business finds its place in the Digital Age.

In this virtual world, girls will create a character they can name, dress and customize by skin tone, hairstyle and expression.

Skin tone. Interesting, considering there was no Barbie of color until 1968, 9 years after the blonde, white Babrbie was produced.