Burt Meyer, the visionary inventor behind beloved toys like Lite-Brite, Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots, and many iconic board games, has passed away at the remarkable age of 99. For generations of children worldwide, his creations brought joy and endless entertainment.
Meyer's journey as a toy maker began in the early 1960s when he and his then-boss Marvin Glass visited an arcade where they spotted a coin-operated machine that simulated boxing matches using human-like combatants. Inspired by this idea, Meyer sculpted the models for what would eventually become Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots, a toy that not only became a huge commercial success but also left a lasting impact on popular culture.
Initially, Meyer wanted to create a more sanitized version of boxing after witnessing the tragic death of boxer Davey Moore in 1963. He reimagined the combatants as robots, which led to the creation of iconic characters like the Red Rocker and the Blue Bomber. The final product featured a boxing ring and joysticks that players used to control the battling bots, culminating in a comically satisfying "sock" to the jaw.
Lite-Brite, another groundbreaking toy developed by Meyer, has sold over 20 million units since its launch in 1967. This innovative creation allowed users to create colorful collages of lights using translucent pegs and black construction paper. The toy's instant popularity was due in part to a striking display of hundreds of small lights that Meyer observed on a Manhattan building.
Meyer's creative prowess extended beyond toys, with his work on the board game Mouse Trap earning him recognition as a master game designer. His company, Meyer/Glass Design, produced numerous other hit games like Pretty Pretty Princess and Gooey Louie, which featured cartoonish characters and humorous gameplay.
In his personal life, Meyer was an adventurous soul who enjoyed flying single-engine planes, scuba-diving in exotic locations, and even trekking to the North Pole. He attended West Georgia College and the Illinois Institute of Technology before graduating with a degree in product design in 1952.
Meyer's legacy will be cherished by generations to come, as his creations continue to entertain and inspire children around the world. His dedication to innovation and his passion for bringing joy to others have left an indelible mark on the world of toys and games.
Meyer's journey as a toy maker began in the early 1960s when he and his then-boss Marvin Glass visited an arcade where they spotted a coin-operated machine that simulated boxing matches using human-like combatants. Inspired by this idea, Meyer sculpted the models for what would eventually become Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots, a toy that not only became a huge commercial success but also left a lasting impact on popular culture.
Initially, Meyer wanted to create a more sanitized version of boxing after witnessing the tragic death of boxer Davey Moore in 1963. He reimagined the combatants as robots, which led to the creation of iconic characters like the Red Rocker and the Blue Bomber. The final product featured a boxing ring and joysticks that players used to control the battling bots, culminating in a comically satisfying "sock" to the jaw.
Lite-Brite, another groundbreaking toy developed by Meyer, has sold over 20 million units since its launch in 1967. This innovative creation allowed users to create colorful collages of lights using translucent pegs and black construction paper. The toy's instant popularity was due in part to a striking display of hundreds of small lights that Meyer observed on a Manhattan building.
Meyer's creative prowess extended beyond toys, with his work on the board game Mouse Trap earning him recognition as a master game designer. His company, Meyer/Glass Design, produced numerous other hit games like Pretty Pretty Princess and Gooey Louie, which featured cartoonish characters and humorous gameplay.
In his personal life, Meyer was an adventurous soul who enjoyed flying single-engine planes, scuba-diving in exotic locations, and even trekking to the North Pole. He attended West Georgia College and the Illinois Institute of Technology before graduating with a degree in product design in 1952.
Meyer's legacy will be cherished by generations to come, as his creations continue to entertain and inspire children around the world. His dedication to innovation and his passion for bringing joy to others have left an indelible mark on the world of toys and games.
just read about Burt Meyer passing away at 99 
what's crazy is that he started making toys in the early 60s, which feels like a lifetime ago 
do you think his legacy will be seen as more than just fun toys for kids, but also as a master game designer? 
i mean, Mouse Trap and Pretty Pretty Princess are still popular today 
it's awesome that he got to live an adventurous life too 
flying single-engine planes and scuba-diving in exotic locations 
burt meyer lived a life full of adventure he wasnt just some old dude making toys all day he flew planes scuba dived and even went to the north pole thats what i love about him he never played it safe and always pushed himself to try new things now hes leaving behind a legacy that will make kids smile for generations to come 
his games like rock em sock em robots and lite brite are still loved by so many people around the world its amazing to think that one person could have such a big impact on our childhoods 
think about it lite-brite and rock em sock em robots are like from another era but they still hold up kinda like how old skool video games do now. idk what kind of impact his legacy will have but i know his stuff is timeless 
he was literally a genius 
i loved lite-brite as a kid it's still one of those nostalgic toys that makes me happy when i see it 
what's crazy is how much he was driven by a desire to sanitize boxing after davey moore's tragic death 
Ah man, can you believe Burt Meyer is gone at 99?! 
It's crazy how much he accomplished in his lifetime. I mean, Lite-Brite still holds up today, who doesn't love making those sweet lights? 
And Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots? Those things were like the ultimate toys for me when I was a kid. I remember spending hours playing with them at birthday parties and whatnot. It's wild to think he created all that stuff back in the 60s. I feel bad that he died before we could get some new tech out of him... maybe his legacy will live on through some next-gen game designer or toy maker 
i mean, that's like, totally insane! 
how did he come up with all those ideas?! it's crazy to think about how much joy his stuff brought people, like, kids are gonna be playing with these toys for years to come. i'm already feeling nostalgic 
but in a good way! 
. Have you guys ever tried putting BBQ sauce on your pizza? It's a game changer! 
. Did you know that West Georgia College is just outside of Atlanta? I've been meaning to check it out, might have to plan a road trip soon 
.
and he also created some amazing board games like Mouse Trap too! 
anyway, it's sad to see him go but his creations will live on and continue to entertain kids for years to come 
. At 99, he was still kicking it old school and innovating like a rockstar 
. From Lite-Brite to Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots, his toys brought endless fun and entertainment 
. I'm loving the nostalgia vibes of this obituary - it's like stepping into a time capsule 
. Can you believe he flew single-engine planes, went scuba-diving in exotic locations, and even trekked to the North Pole? That's some serious adventure mode 
!
It's wild to think about how many kids have grown up with his toys over the years.
. I wish I could've met him, but I'm sure his legacy will live on for generations to come 
, but I gotta say, 99 is still pretty young, you know? 
and his work on board games like Mouse Trap is still iconic today.
he was a true innovator, thinkin' up Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots & Lite-Brite back in the day... it's crazy to think those toys are still bringin' joy to kids nowadays 
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anyway, it's crazy how much joy his toys brought to kids and now he's gone 
every time i try to browse. can't we just have some decent algorithm filtering for vintage content?! i swear, it's like the platform is trolling me by serving me article after article about people who died in the 60s & 70s... anywayz, RIP burt meyer - his toys were def classics