"Father of Videogames" Joins National Inventors Hall of Fame

[Austin MacKenzie]

"Father of Videogames" Joins National Inventors Hall of Fame

Ralph Baer, the man known as the "father of videogames" has been inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

In 1966, Baer began work on the prototype of the first-ever home videogame console, which would later be released as the Odyssey by Magnavox in 1972, making history and sparking the creation of the gaming industry. Yesterday, he was honored with an induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame during a ceremony held at the US Department of Commerce in Washington DC.

"People thought I was wasting my time and the company's money for that matter," Baer said. "There's no way anybody could have predicted how fast this industry would take off."

In addition to inventing the original gaming console, Baer also had a hand in a number of other inventions one of the most notable being the light gun peripheral. Baer's contributions to the gaming world are undeniable, and it is great for him to have attained such recognition. The National Inventors Hall of Fame states inductees must have "a major impact on society, the public welfare, and the progress of science and the useful arts," and I'd say he's definitely accomplished that.

Source: <a href=http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2010/04/ralph-baer/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Gamelife+%28Blog+-+Game|Life%29>Wired and <a href=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/27921/Video_Game_Pioneer_Ralph_Baer_Inducted_Into_Inventors_Hall_Of_Fame.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GamasutraNews+%28Gamasutra+News%29>Gamasutra


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[asleep at the comp]

my uncle still has an odyssey that works

 

[MurderousToaster]

I suppose that's neat. This man deserves a medal.

That man is one of the greatest living people.

[sub]Also, 2000 posts. Woo hoo.[/sub]

 

[skitzo van]

Well in one thousand years, our descendants will be able to look at our remains and say, "Haha, they had to play with stupid motion controls, while we have virtual porn!"

 

[Irridium]

Congrats to him!

He deserved it.

 

[CoverYourHead]

Thank God! For a second I thought this was going to Atari-Man who stole most of Mr. Baer's technology.

This is great! He really deserved it.

 

[microhive]

Hope this ain't another stupid April fools...

Anyhow, kinda neat that the father of videogames would get this much recognition. Way to go old guy!

 

[Decabo]

Wow, talk about coincidences... I was literally in the middle of calling someone an idiot for considering Gabe Newell to be the Father of Videogames, and then I saw this. Congrats to Ralph Baer, a true genius with an amazing story.

 

[Awexsome]

Ralph Baer we salute you. Definetly deserves it.

 

[Distorted Stu]

Its nice to see credit where credit is due. Good on him =]

 

[SnootyEnglishman]

I'm happy for Ralph he deserves this recognition and not the guy who pretty much stole the stuff Ralph made.

 

[vivadelkitty]

I'm in high school with his grandson, Alex Baer. From what he says, his grandad's pretty awesome. Congratulations on his award, he's changed how we look at entertainment for good.

 

[Jared]

He certainly deserves it that is for sure!

They took there time though...better late than never!

 

[Lepre-Khan]

Well in one thousand years, our descendants will be able to look at our remains and say, "Haha, they had to play with stupid motion controls, while we have virtual porn!"

An Virtual Murder Simulators. Don't forget that :3

 

[tomservo4prezident]

Yaey.

 

[Woodsey]

To think that other people of his (estimated by me) age group are so naive about the industry that they think we're all raving lunatics. And many a lot younger than him too.

 

[Tharticus]

Kudos to Ralph Baer. He really deserves to be on that spot.

 

[OptimalPrime]

Finally, about damn time. The man was 70% the reason the video game industry is what it is today. A little late, but the recognition is well deserved. KUDOS!

 

[Fox242]

That man gave us all our favorite medium. He defenitely deserved his place in that Hall of Fame. I'm just wondering why he wasn't put in there earlier.

 

[MrBrightside919]

It's about time that Ralph got the credit he deserved...