Reuben Klamer | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1922-06-20)June 20, 1922 Canton, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | September 14, 2021(2021-09-14) (aged 99) La Jolla, California, U.S. |
| Education | George Washington University,Ohio State University,University of Michigan |
| Occupation | Inventor |
| Known for | Creating and co-designer ofThe Game of Life board game forMilton Bradley |
Reuben Klamer (June 20, 1922 – September 14, 2021) was an American designer, developer, inventor, entrepreneur, and sales and marketing executive,[1] best known for creating and designing the modern version of the classicMilton Bradley (nowHasbro)board gameThe Game of Life.[2]
The Game of Life was marketed in 59 countries and translated into 26 languages. It is estimated that 70 million copies have been sold, and it is the second most popular board game, only toMonopoly.[1]
Although best known for his work in the toy and gaming industries, Klamer held credits in numerous diverse industries, including textiles, plastics, aviation, publishing, music television and film.[1]
Klamer was born in 1922 inCanton, Ohio, to Romanian Jewish emigrants Joseph Klamer and Rachel Levenson.[3] He studiedancient andmodern history atGeorge Washington University inWashington D.C. and earned aBachelor of Science inmarketing fromOhio State University. He completed postgraduate work inengineering at theUniversity of Michigan.[2]
He enlisted in theU.S. Navymidshipman school atNorthwestern University in 1943 and served in theSouth Pacific.[citation needed]
Post WWII, he worked as a marketing developer for an air cargo company, designing his first invention for air freight travel before starting his ownadvertising agency,The Klamer Company
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Klamer's career started with theIdeal Toy Company in 1949. He created theArt Linkletter Spin-A-Hoop (to compete with theWham-Ohula hoop), Gaylord the Walking Dog, and Busy Blocks. He also created theFisher-Price Preschool Trainer Skates.[4]
Klamer was approached by the producers ofThe Man From U.N.C.L.E. to design aspecial weapon for the show's secret agents.[5] He produced a toy version for Ideal.
Impressed with Klamer's work, and under pressure from network executives to make his show more "action packed,"Star Trek producerGene Roddenberry enlisted Klamer to design "a really big gun." He built thephaser rifle used in the episode "Where No Man Has Gone Before."[6]
He created thePink Panther Travelling Show Car, build on an oldsmobile chassis for thePink Panther Cartoon Series[1]
In June 1959, Klamer pitched an art center concept toMilton Bradley that featured their crayons and finger paints. The company declined, but Milton Bradley president James Shea, Sr., asked Klamer to develop a game in celebration of the hundredth anniversary ofMilton Bradley Company. After months of development, Klamer unveiledThe Game of Life at the 1960 American International Toy Fair in the Milton Bradley showroom. Spurred by the endorsement of TV personality Art Linkletter, the game went on to sell more than fifty million copies.[7]
Klamer died on September 14, 2021, at the age of 99.[1][8]
| This sectionneeds expansion. You can help byadding to it.(September 2021) |
| Association | Year | Award |
| Hasbro | 2000 | Hasbro Inventors Hall of Fame |
| Toy Industry Hall of Fame | 2005 | Inductee |
| TAGIE Award | 2009 | Lifetime Achievement Award |
| State Government | 2003 | OHIO Citizen of Honour |
| Ohio State University | 2011 | Fisher College of Business Alumni Award for Entrepreneurship |
| Fisher College of Business | 2012 | Dean's Distinguished Fellowship Award |
| OSU 's Science and TechnologyInsights | 2019 | Great Ohio State Inventor |