Ralph Baer, inventor of the first video game console, passes away at 92.
My generation owes this man a great debt of gratitude.
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Ralph Baer was a German immigrant and inventor who created the very first video game console back in the late 60’s. Baer called it ‘The Brown Box’, but was later renamed to the ‘Magnivox Odyssey’ in 1972 after Baer sold the licensing for his invention. His invention would pave the way for the amazing, time-wasting gaming consoles we turn our minds to mush with today.
Actually, I stand by the argument that video games actually stimulate our minds. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
His invention set the blueprint for video game consoles today. It was a small computer that was manipulated by controllers connected to the computer and hooked up to a television as a monitor. Baer also invented a ‘gun’ controller that connected to the gaming console for a shooting game (anyone else think of ‘Duck Hunt’?). He would also go on to invent the famous light pattern-matching game known as ‘Simon’. God, I hated that game.
For his inventions, Baer was awarded the National Medal of Technology in 2006 from then-President George W. Bush, as well as the Pioneer Award during the Game Developers’ Choice Awards in 2008.
Thank you again Ralph Baer, you beautiful genius.
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