The creator of beloved toys like Lite-Brite and Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots has passed away at the age of 99, leaving behind a legacy of joy for countless children worldwide and a life rich in adventure.
Bert Meyer might not be a familiar name to everyone, but his creations—many of which have entertained families for over six decades—certainly are known. They’re a staple in game rooms and toy collections.
The inspiration behind “Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots” struck him during a visit to an arcade in the early 1960s, alongside his boss, Marvin Glass. They encountered a coin-operated machine featuring humanoid fighters engaged in mock boxing, according to reports.
Initially, Meyer began crafting his toy model, but work was interrupted after the tragic death of boxer Davey Moore following a fight in 1963. This led him to rethink the design.
To reduce the perceived violence, he transformed the human fighters into robots, known as the Red Rocker and the Blue Bomber, which added a layer of playfulness.
The final toy included a boxing ring setup and two joysticks, allowing players to control the robots. A well-timed jab would make the opponent’s head pop up in a humorous manner.
Since its first production in 1964, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots remains popular today. In 2011, it was listed as the 49th best toy ever by Time magazine and even appeared in Pixar’s Toy Story 2.
Meyer’s personal favorite, however, was Lite-Brite, which allowed users to craft colorful light displays with translucent pegs. The idea came to him after seeing a building in Manhattan adorned with bright lights.
Launched in 1967 under Hasbro’s license, Lite-Brite quickly became a sensation, selling over 20 million units. Time magazine ranked it No. 55 on its list of all-time best toys, and its popularity surged following its feature in two 2022 episodes of Netflix’s Stranger Things.
In the 1960s, Meyer also conceptualized the board game Mouse Trap, where players build elaborate contraptions—much like Rube Goldberg machines—to trap plastic mice.
Many toys and games featuring Meyer’s designs were licensed to major companies such as Mattel and Hasbro. In the 1980s, he started his own company, Meyer/Glass Design, although it took some time for it to hit its stride.
His new venture produced games like “Pretty Pretty Princess,” “Catch Phrase,” and the quirky “Gooey Louie,” where players fish for plastic “boogers” from a character’s oversized nose.
Bert Meyer was born on April 18, 1926, in Hinsdale, Illinois. After serving as an aircraft mechanic in the U.S. Navy, he pursued a degree in product design from the Illinois Institute of Technology, graduating in 1952.
A passionate explorer, Meyer flew single-engine planes until his late 80s. He also embarked on a solo bicycle journey from San Francisco to Charleston at age 69 and scuba-dived in remote locations like Fiji and the Solomon Islands. Notably, he trekked to the North Pole over 12 days, which is quite the feat.
Meyer is survived by his daughter Sheryl and sons Lee and Steve, the latter having led Meyer/Glass until it closed in 2006. He also has six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. His wife Marcia passed away in 2001.
