Burt Meyer invented Lite-Brite and co-invented other fantastic pieces of plastic like Mr. Machine, Mouse Trap, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, Toss Across and more. Burt’s favorite “item,” as he calls his inventions, is Lite-Brite. Burt’s brainstorm of using translucent, colored pegs to funnel light, has given kids creative fun at their fingertips for 44 years. Meyer recalled the moment when he sold the idea to Hasbro’s president, Merrill Hassenfeld. “I brought Merrill into our conference room,” Meyer said. “I dimmed the lights and plugged it [the Lite-Brite prototype] in. As soon as I put a peg in, it lit up. After he tried it himself, he sat back and said ‘That’s my item!’ He and Marvin inked a deal within an hour.” Lite-Brite has been a staple in Hasbro’s line ever since.