Creator of Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, Lite-Brite dies at 99
(Gray News) – The creator of some of the most beloved toys and games, including Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots and Lite-Brite, has died, according to reports.
Burt Meyer’s death was confirmed by his son on Oct. 30, according to The New York Times. He was 99 years old.
Meyer was born in 1926 in Hinsdale, Illinois. Before graduating from the Institute of Design at the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1952 with a bachelor’s degree in product design, he served in the Navy from 1944 to 1946.
Eventually, he would join Marvin Glass & Associates, a company that designed toys. At this company, he would create his first major success: Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, which premiered in 1964.
Meyer created Lite-Brite in 1967, a toy he said was inspired by seeing a sign lighted with hundreds of colored lights at a store in New York City.
Lite-Brite was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2022.
Meyer’s prolific career saw many more successes in toy design, including the board game Mousetrap and Catch Phrase, a word guessing game, among many others.
Meyer is survived by two sons, a daughter, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, according to People. His wife Marcia died in 2001.
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