Burt Meyer: The Man Who Gave Us Lite-Brite and Rock’ Em Sock’ Em Robots Dies

Before video games took over living rooms and bedrooms, kids relied on pure imagination and the magic of hands-on play. For children growing up in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, unforgettable toys like Lite-Brite, Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robots, Mouse Trap, Mr. Machine, and Toss Across were more than just playthings. They were entire worlds waiting to come alive. Behind many of these beloved classics was one extraordinary mind, Burt Meyer, the visionary toy designer whose work helped define childhood for generations. Meyer has passed away at the age of 99, leaving behind a legacy filled with color, creativity, and joy.

Burt Meyer played a pivotal role in developing Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robots, a toy that transformed the intensity of boxing into a fun, family-friendly battle where the ultimate goal was to pop up your opponent’s head instead of knocking them out. Released in 1966 and inspired by a boxing arcade game, these battling robots became a cultural phenomenon. They appeared in The Simpsons, were featured in promotional material for Toy Story 2, and are even connected to a planned Vin Diesel film, proving their appeal stretches far beyond the Baby Boomer generation.

In 1967, Meyer helped bring Lite-Brite to life, a glowing art toy that allowed children to create luminous pictures using tiny colored pegs. Its recent appearance in Season 4 of Stranger Things reminded the world of its timeless charm and emotional nostalgia. Meyer once recalled how the Lite-Brite prototype instantly impressed Hasbro’s CEO, marking the beginning of its iconic status.

Another standout creation was Mouse Trap, one of the first true three-dimensional board games. Inspired by a Rube Goldberg cartoon and developed alongside Marvin Glass, the game delighted kids with its elaborate chain reactions and playful engineering. Add to that favorites like Mr. Machine and Toss Across, and it becomes clear just how broad and influential Meyer’s creative footprint was.

According to Burt Meyer, the secret to great toy design was simple yet powerful. You had to have a childlike imagination. This belief guided his entire career and allowed him to connect with the pure sense of wonder that defines childhood. His son Steve Meyer shared that his father was especially proud of Lite-Brite and the happiness it brought to families, noting that his life’s purpose was about bringing joy to the world.

Burt Meyer did exactly that. Through every glowing peg, every wobbling robot, and every carefully designed contraption, he helped millions of children dream bigger, play harder, and believe in the power of imagination. His toys were not just fun. They were memories in the making, and their impact will continue lighting up childhoods for generations to come.