Obituary: Ralph Baer, inventor of the video game, passes away at 92

Games pioneer Ralph Baer, credited with inventing the first video games system has passed away.

The 92-year-old was the brains behind many of the devices that define what the medium has become today, most notably with his work on the very first games console.

Originally known as the Brown Box, Baer’s machine would later be licensed and sold as the Magnavox Odyssey, which launched in 1972, according to GamaSutra. The Odyssey sold hundreds and thousands of units and inspired many competitors, including Atari’s influential title Pong.

He also invented the interactive memory game Simon in 1979 and the first games console peripheral – the light gun – back in 1967. In total, Baer held patents for around 150 inventions.

Baer received a number of awards and honours throughout his career, including the National Medal of Technology, which was presented to him by President George W. Bush.

Born in Germany in 1922, Baer and his family fled to the Netherlands from the Nazis, eventually moving to the United States. He is survived by two sons and a daughter.

Media Molecule interviewed Baer on Develop’s behalf back in 2008. You can read the article here.

Image credit: Wired.com