Prolific inventor Burt Meyer – whose creations included Mouse Trap and Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robots – has passed away

The prolific inventor helped create Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robots, Mouse Trap, Toss Across, Mr. Machine, Lite-Brite and more.

Burt was an industry veteran in the so-called “Golden Age of Toys”. Indeed, he began working for Marvin Glass & Associates toward the end of the 1950s, eventually becoming a partner. Marvin Glass & Associates remains a legendary name in the industry having created classics such as Operation, Simon and Moue Trap.

After working with Marvin Glass, Burt formed Meyer/Glass Design and went on to produce other hits. These included Catch Phrase, Gooey Louie and Pretty Pretty Princess. He once told a journalist that to be a successful toy designer, “You have to have a childlike imagination.”

Burt’s passions were not limited to toys. He was a keen scuba diver and adventurer, and was also known to have built an amphibious seaplane as well as a sailplane. He would fly the latter to an island near Thunder Bay in Ontario for vacations. There, he and his children would fish, and – according to his son, Steve Meyer – “…see moose and bear.”

While Burt’s wife Marcia died in 2001, he is survived by his daughter Sheryl, sons Steve and Lee, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Steve noted that his father’s life: “… was about bringing joy to the world.” To all Burt’s family and friends in the industry, we send out deepest sympathies.

–

To stay in the loop with the latest news, interviews and features from the world of toy and game design, sign up to our weekly newsletter here

More Recent News

Asmodee and Unexpected Games to launch Cozy Stickerville in 2026

“One of my core philosophies of this game is personalising – there’s no wrong way to play,” said designer Cory Konieczka.

TOTY Awards 2026 finalists revealed

“Each TOTY finalist is a testament to the creativity that defines the toy industry, which is always innovating to create products that spark joy, learning and social connections through play,” said Greg Ahearn, President & CEO of The Toy Association.

Mattel debuts KPop Demon Hunters dolls

The HUNTR/X “What It Sounds Like” 3-Pack features Rumi, Mira and Zoey as seen in their final performance in the film.

This month’s Board Game Club to be a party games special

“Our party games night will be the last Board Game Club of 2025, so we’re going out with a bang!” said Lesley Singleton, Founder of Playtime PR and Co-Founder of Board Game Club.

Hasbro and Netflix debut Transformers x Stranger Things figures

Freakwency converts from six-inch robot mode to WSQK van mode in 16 steps.

BTHA and Mojo Nation to host Inventors Lunch at Toy Fair 2026

The free Inventors Lunch will return to Toy Fair on Thursday, January 22nd at 12PM, hosted upstairs on the Toy Trust Lounge (UL 161).