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Burt Meyer, inventor of Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots and Lite-Brite, dies at 99
Burt Meyer, the inventive toymaker behind iconic creations such as Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots, Lite-Brite, and Mouse Trap, has died at 99. His designs, first appearing in the 1960s, became staples of childhood for generations and helped shape the modern toy industry during the postwar era of plastic molding and mass production.
Meyer passed away on Oct. 30 at King-Bruwaert House, a retirement community in Burr Ridge, Illinois, where he had lived. Known for combining a vivid imagination with a practical understanding of mechanics, Meyer turned everyday observations into playful, enduring creations. Lite-Brite, inspired by a display of colored lights he noticed while walking in Manhattan in 1966 with toy designer Marvin Glass, allowed children to create illuminated designs on black paper using a small backlit box. The toy went on to earn a place on Time Magazine’s list of 100 greatest toys and is still available today.
Meyer also helped transform a failed arcade boxing game into the home favorite Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots, replacing human figures with battling robots and introducing the spring-loaded head pop. The game has remained culturally recognizable, appearing in the film “Toy Story 2” and inspiring a planned live-action adaptation.
In the mid-1980s, Meyer founded Meyer/Glass Design, producing bestsellers such as Gooey Louie and Pretty Pretty Princess. His son, Steve Meyer, ran the company until 2006. Born Burton Carpenter Meyer in 1926, he served two years in the Navy as an aircraft mechanic before dedicating his career to toy design. After retiring, he moved to Downers Grove, Illinois, where he built and flew small planes well into his 80s.
Meyer often spoke of the parallels between aerospace engineering and toy creation, emphasizing creativity, collaboration, and ingenuity. Known affectionately for his enthusiasm, he even drove with a vanity plate reading TOYKING. In interviews, Meyer expressed joy in hearing people recall the toys he brought to life, reflecting a lifelong delight in sharing imagination and play with the world.
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