A beloved creator of classic childhood toys has passed away at 99. Burt Meyer, the inventive mind behind Rock\u2019em Sock\u2019em Robots, Lite-Brite, Mouse Trap, and Toss Across, helped shape generations of play.<\/p>\n
Meyer designed toys during the postwar boom, combining a childlike imagination with sharp engineering skills. The idea for Lite-Brite came in 1966 after he saw a glowing window display in Manhattan. Despite doubts from engineers, he pushed forward, creating the light-up box and punch-through peg system that became an instant classic and a Hall of Fame toy.<\/p>\n
His creativity also transformed a stalled boxing arcade concept into Rock\u2019em Sock\u2019em Robots by making the fighters mechanical instead of human \u2014 leading to one of the most iconic toys ever.<\/p>\n
Burt Meyer died on Oct. 30 at the retirement community where he spent his later years.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A beloved creator of classic childhood toys has passed away at 99. Burt Meyer, the inventive mind behind Rock\u2019em Sock\u2019em Robots, Lite-Brite, Mouse Trap, and Toss Across, helped shape generations of play. Meyer designed toys during the postwar boom, combining a childlike imagination with sharp engineering skills. The idea for Lite-Brite came in 1966 after…<\/p>\n