Found on Listverse.com.

Barbie was not the first slutty doll available for young girls (and the odd boy). It was, in fact, Bild Lilli, based on a cartoon character who had questionable morals. Originally Bild Lilli was sold to men as a sexual novelty item but an American woman, Ruth Handler, saw the doll and stole the concept for her Barbie for children. Lilli is pictured above. I think that the makers of Bild Lilli probably had good grounds to sue Miss Handler for stealing their idea.