The first Barbie doll from 1959 is on display at the interactive exhibit “The World of Barbie” at the Santa Monica Plaza in Santa Monica, California on June 28, 2023.
Robin Baker | AFP | Getty Images
A weapons engineer turned dollmaker has an unexpected connection to the duo affectionately known as “Pappenheimer” on Warner Bros.’ “Barbie” and Universal Pictures’ “Oppenheimer.”
The unlikely back-to-back summer blockbuster opens on Friday after weeks of buzz about the differences between the whimsical, rosy world of “Barbie,” and “Oppenheimer,” the remarkable story of the American physicist who brought the world into the atomic age.
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Barbie, however, has a background in weapons.
Jack Ryan worked for the aerospace giant before designing the world’s most famous doll Raytheon And helped create the weapons that form the backbone of America’s missile defense.
Ryan, a Yale-educated engineer, helped create the Sparrow and Eagle missiles, which formed the basis for the Patriot missile system, one of the most advanced air defense weapons in the U.S. arsenal.
After engaging in the arms business, Ryan went to Mattelhe was promoted to vice president of research and design for the toymaker.
On July 24, 1959, Ryan filed a US patent detailing his concept for what would become the world’s most famous doll. Ryan was granted a “patent”doll constructionNovember 1961. He is also credited with creating such toys as the Chatty Cathy and Hot Wheels lines.
Sid and Alicia Belzberg’s first Barbie doll patent.
James Lines | Corbis History | Getty Images
before him Died in 1991 At age 65, Ryan’s designs have amassed more than 1,000 patents.
Meanwhile, movie theaters have shown strong box office performances for “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer,” and have been adding screenings to meet growing demand.
“Barbie” has already grossed $22.3 million domestically since Thursday night’s previews, and will take at least $140 million over the weekend. “Oppenheimer,” which took in $10.5 million on Thursday, is on track for $60 million over the weekend.
read more: “Pappenheimer” alighted and headed to A Thursday got off to a hot start with $32.8 million in total sales
What’s more, the two films could take in more than $200 million in the next few days and are expected to be the highest-grossing weekend of the year so far, with some analysts saying the weekend could top $300 million with additional take-ins from “Mission: Impossible,” “Voice of Liberty” and “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.”
Disclosure: Comcast is the parent company of NBCUniversal and CNBC.
