How is play different today from when kids were playing the iconic games of Operation, Ants in the Pants, Rock 'Em, Sock 'Em Robots, Hot Wheels Criss-cross Crash and Simon which led the way to electronic games? Award-winning game and toy designer Jeffrey Breslow who worked for many years inventing toys and playing for a living with Marvin Glass & Associates in Chicago as described in his new memoir, "A Game Maker's Life," describes how the concept of play and diversion have changed over the years in this interview.
How did you get involved in the toy business?
I fell in love with designing toys while at the University of Illinois studying Industrial Design. The project was to create a new toy when I was a sophomore. We designed automobiles, appliances, furniture etc, but the “toy thing” was not designing, but inventing something new.
What are some things about toys and play that have changed drastically over the years?
Plastic molding in the 50’s, electronics in the late 60’s early 70’s and in the game world, video games and all types of electronic toys and music in toys. Major changes
What are some things that are still constant in the world of play?
Imitation of the adult world. Fascination of cars, vehicles, dolls. Building toys, Lego, puzzles, all sorts of games. Curiosity of toys
How can adults get excited about the toys their kids like while sharing the fun of toys they grew up with?
Adults have to think of their childhood and what entertained them. More basic toys, without so many bells and whistles. The joy of feeling wooden toys, blocks and construction toys. If adults get on the floor and play like they were children, the kids will as well.
Starting with a literal bang, Jeffrey Breslow’s memoir, is a gripping account of how the inventor held his company together after an employee opened fire in the Marvin Glass & Associates conference room in 1976. Breslow, a partner, missed taking a bullet only because the gunman didn't see him—he had just stepped into an adjoining office to take a phone call.
Before the shooting, Breslow was the youngest partner of toy industry giant Marvin Glass and Associates at 33 years old. After the shooting Breslow's partners voted him in as managing partner. Thrust into leadership by default, he faced incredible challenges, including consoling families of victims, dealing with the staff’s PTSD, and rebuilding a sense of safety and morale. He was also determined to keep the successful but reeling business alive. He needed a miracle—and he got one. His partner Howard Morrison created a blockbuster, Simon, which Smithsonian Magazine said, “ushered in the era of electronic games.”
In spite of the tragedy, Breslow still felt incredibly lucky. He had a wonderful job that most employees only dream about, enabling him to “play” for a living inventing games. The secret to his success was creating games that each player thought they had a chance of winning. Clients at Glass & Associates included Milton Bradley, Parker Brothers, Ideal Toy, Fisher-Price, Playskool and many others. Breslow is the only toy designer to win the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval twice, and was inducted into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame in 1998.
No comments:
Post a Comment