Ralph H. Baer

Ralph H. Baer (March 18, 1922 - December 6, 2014), was the man who invented the Magnavox Odyssey, the first video game console. The Magnavox Odyssey soon started the video game craze which caused many companies to try their hand at the business. Because of this, Baer has been called the "Father of Video Games".

In addition, Baer was also responsible for inventing the game, Simon, which is still in production today with many variations.

He is also credited for inventing the light gun, which started as an accessory for the Odyssey.

He had won many awards in his life aside from his title of Father of Video Games. He won the G-Phoria Legend Award in 2005, the IEEE Masaru Ibuka Consumer Electronics Award in 2008, the Game Developers Conference Developers Choice "Pioneer" award in 2008, the IEEE Edison Medal in 2014, the Nation Medal of Technology in 2006 by George W. Bush and was also inducted into the National Inventors' Hall of Fame in 2010.

On December 6, 2014, he was found dead in his home in Manchester, New Hampshire by his friends and family. The cause of death is still not known but considering his age, it was likely natural causes.