Ralph H. Baer

Ralph H. Baer, born in 1922 in Pirmasens, Germany, is recognized as the creator of the first home video game played on a television, eventually released as the Magnavox Odyssey in 1972. With games simulating volleyball, football, table tennis, and target-shooting, his creation was already in 700,000 homes by 1975. He has since created a wide variety of electronic gadgets, games, and toys, including the still-popular SIMON and the first talking greeting card. He was awarded the National Medal of Technology in 2006. Updated 2014