Guys and Dolls

Michael and Jessica talk about the proliferation of Barbie dolls in all shapes and shades, announced in Time magazine. They questioned “the decisions of the American toymaking industrial complex,” which (as seen in the lack of Rey action figures from the new Star Wars film) haven’t evolved much since Michael interned for Kenner’s ad agency back in Cincinnati.

Also mentioned:

The Daily Mail on Diet Barbie

“Math class is tough!”

More vintage Barbie Commercials. Some we didn’t mention but worth mentioning: Surprising Barbie; Malibu Barbie; Cool Shavin’ Ken; Potty Training Kelly; Barbie Dentiste (French)

The Barbie Dream Wiki

Popular Mechanics’ oral history of the Challenger disaste

Richard Feynman on the O ring

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By Michael Bierut & Jessica Helfand

Jessica Helfand, a founding editor of Design Observer, is an award-winning graphic designer and writer and a former contributing editor and columnist for Print, Communications Arts and Eye magazines. A member of the Alliance Graphique Internationale and a recent laureate of the Art Director’s Hall of Fame, Helfand received her B.A. and her M.F.A. from Yale University where she has taught since 1994.