George Lerner (1922–1995) was an American inventor known for inventing the toy Mr. Potato Head.[1]
Biography
George Lerner was born in Brooklyn, New York. He was artist, graphic designer and model maker.[2] In 1949, he designed and produced a first generation set of plastic face pieces. The push pin shaped noses, ears, eyes, and mouth parts could be pushed into fruits or vegetables to transform the food into playmates.[3] The toy did not take off at first because post-World War II consumers didn't like the idea of wasting food by playing with it.[4] Lerner finally sold the toy for $5,000 to a cereal company. The toys were planned to be a premium giveaway in cereal boxes. But when Lerner found a better deal offered by toy manufacturer Hassenfeld Brothers (now Hasbro), Lerner and the manufacturer bought the rights back for $7,000.[5] Hasbro officially named the toy Mr. Potato Head.[6]
In 1964 and 1975, Lerner's original designs got their plastic head and size upgrades respectively, in order to comply with government issued safety regulations.[7]
Lerner died in 1995.
Personal life
Lerner was Jewish, and was of Romanian-Jewish descent.[8][9]
References
- Jews of the Week: George Lerner & The Hassenfeld Brothers 22 February 2012, retrieved 2017-08-28^
- The Toy Invented by George Lerner retrieved 2018-08-14^
- By Megan Wilde, Mental Floss. Evolution of Mr. Potato Head retrieved 2018-08-14^
- The Toy Invented by George Lerner retrieved 2018-08-14^
- Jews of the Week: George Lerner & The Hassenfeld Brother 22 February 2012, retrieved 2013-12-07^
- By Megan Wilde, Mental Floss. Evolution of Mr. Potato Head retrieved 2018-08-14^
- GEORGE LERNER AND MR. POTATO HEAD 21 July 2015, retrieved 21 July 2015^
- "The Story of Mr. Potato Head’s Jewish Roots." Artsy, Avishay. Jewish Telegraphic Agency. www.jta.org. Published December 14, 2017. Accessed February 28, 2021.^
- Jews of the Week: George Lerner & The Hassenfeld Brother 22 February 2012, retrieved 2013-12-07^