Ralph H. Baer, inventor of the first home video game console, the Magnavox Odyssey, has passed away at the age of 92.

Baer did not invent video games, but his impact on the medium is immeasurable. His invention, the Magnavox Odyssey (and its prototype, the Brown Box), brought video games into the home, setting a standard for interactive entertainment on your television. Baer also created the first light gun game called Shooting Gallery, a technology that would be used by video games well into the PlayStation 2, GameCube, and Xbox era.

Baer also created the Simon light and music pattern toy, was on the board of directors for the The Videogame History Museum, and also received the National Medal of Technology from President George W. Bush in 2006 (seen above).

Baer was still working on his craft as recently as 2012. He was the focus of a video series by filmmaker David Friedman, which you can see here, and you can read a recent interview with him by heading here.

[Source: @kobunheat, Gamasutra, Examiner, image source: ralphbaer.com]

Our Take

Our condolences go out to the friends and family of Ralph H. Baer. He was a pioneer in the world of video games and his creations marked the first steps towards the video games we know and play today. He will be missed.