The "Toy King" Remembered...
30 years ago this month, toy inventor Marvin Glass passed away. By all accounts he was a colorful character and a troubled soul, but it was the creative output of his Chicago design studio that earned him his very own section in The Playmakers.
Below are some “plastic classics” from Marvin Glass & Associates -- the most prolific toy design firm the toy industry has ever seen.
Mr. Machine (1960)
Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robots (1965)
Mystery Date (1965)
Rare Lite-Brite Prototype (1967)
Toss Across (1969)
Other Marvin Glass hits covered in The Playmakers include Mouse Trap (1963), Hands Down (1964), Operation (1965 -- including a rare picture of inventor John Spinello's prototype), Ants in the Pants (1967), and Simon (1978).
The Secret Fun Spot features some more great games designed by MGA, while this site features not only MGA creations, but recollections from former MGA employee Erick Erickson, one of the many designers I had the privilege of interviewing for The Playmakers.
I knew Marvin Glass and spent time with him in his Evanston and Miami Beach homes. Actually, I was high school friends with his step son, Chris Egidio at Lake Forest Academy in Lake Forest Illinois. This was in the early 70's and his health was already starting to fail. I remember Marvin as being dynamic, yet warm and engaging.
Posted by: Darryl Thomas at February 9, 2004 10:06 AM
Darryl,
That's so cool that you got to meet Marvin. I feel like I know him from talking to so many designers that worked for him. Still, I get the feeling he was someone you had to meet to really appreciate. I surely appreciate his creations. My favorite was Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots. I played with that thing until my thumbs cramped!
Posted by: Tim at February 9, 2004 6:40 PM
Im writing from Houston.
As a kid growing up in Evanston, I recall him doing magic fo all the children - wearing a cut away and a top at at the beach...what a seemingly great guy. I alos, delivered his newspaper and shoveled his side walk when it would snow - i was forunate enough to have a tour of his magnificent home.
Im looking ot move back to Evanston within the year - to coach ice hockey - would sure love some pictures of te old neighborhood.
Jeffrey Marcum
Posted by: at January 23, 2005 5:59 PM
