George Lerner

George Lerner (1922–1995) was an American inventor known for inventing the toy Mr. Potato Head.[1]

George Lerner
Born1922
Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died1995 (aged 72-73)
United States
Occupation(s)Artist
graphic designer
model maker
businessman

Biography

Lerner was born in Brooklyn, New York and worked during his lifetime as an 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, George 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
  1. "Jews of the Week: George Lerner & The Hassenfeld Brothers | Jew of the Week". 22 February 2012. Retrieved 2017-08-28.
  2. "The Toy Invented by George Lerner | Synonym". Retrieved 2018-08-14.
  3. Floss, By Megan Wilde, Mental. "Evolution of Mr. Potato Head". Retrieved 2018-08-14.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. "The Toy Invented by George Lerner | Synonym". Retrieved 2018-08-14.
  5. "Jews of the Week: George Lerner & The Hassenfeld Brother". 22 February 2012. Retrieved 2013-12-07.
  6. Floss, By Megan Wilde, Mental. "Evolution of Mr. Potato Head". Retrieved 2018-08-14.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. "GEORGE LERNER AND MR. POTATO HEAD". 21 July 2015. Archived from the original on 22 July 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  8. "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.
  9. "Jews of the Week: George Lerner & The Hassenfeld Brother". 22 February 2012. Retrieved 2013-12-07.


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