Some very sad news this evening: Gamasutra reports that Ralph Baer, widely regarded as the father of the video game industry, has passed away at the age of 92.  

A renowned inventor, and holder of over 150 patents, Baer's most famous work was designing the machine that would become the Magnavox Odyssey, the world's very first home video games console. Every console and handheld that's come since, well, you can trace it all back to the Odyssey. You can see footage of Baer testing the Brown Box in 1969 (1969!) below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scaLx1l_j5w

Born in Germany in 1922, Baer's family fled the Nazis only two months before the infamousKristallnacht attacks on Jewish stores and homes. From Holland they moved to America, where Baer's work in electronics would culminate in 2006 with him being awarded the National Medal of Technology by President George W Bush for his work in pioneering the video game industry.

May he rest in peace, the man is a legend.

92 years old and what an influencial life he had.

RIP

Too bad! May the games industry make him proud

What a legend. The hobby we love so much owes everything to Baer.

I'm glad he had such a long life

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LsRGUODHlQ

^^^ Video of him playing Pong with his co-worker. Did you know he actually researched the Odyssey while he was in the military?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vBZmzLXBK8

^^^ And here's a short video of him in general.

Thanks for sharing :)

RIP to the legend~

Ima have a beer for Baer

Cheers you legend.

*Arch unfriends Spurge*

OT - Sad news.  His vision and foresight will be forever remembered.  Much respect.

I hope he died gaming.