Is Barbie based on real people or are real people based on Barbie? (in your own opinion) Why?

Real people are definately NOT based on Barbie, I don't think Barbie existed in cavepeople age...

Barbies on the other hand, are designed by humans to look like a cartooned version of humans. So, yes, through some strange and curvy way, I think Barbies are based on real people.

On July 24, 1952, a curvaceous bombshell named L­illi graced the pages of the Germ­an tabloid Bild Zeit­ung for the first time. Created by cartoonist Reinhard Beuthien, Lilli was worldly, single and in search of a rich boyfriend.

Think of her as a modern, working girl version of Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone with the Wind." Deprivations brought on by World War II had worn down her spirit, except for a determination to be amply provided for. Passion no longer motivated dating; she was simply on a quest for the wealthiest suitor. Lilli was, in short, a gold digger -- and an attractive one at that. With mile-long legs, a generous bustline and scant clothing, Lilli charmed the magazine's largely male readership. In fact, her brassy personality and pinup figure wooed men so effectively that the cartoon Lilli was transformed into a doll in 1955