Ralph Bear

There have been many milestones in the field of home entertainment, but it wouldn't be near as advanced as it is now if it wasn't for Ralph Baer. Ralph Baer was born in Germany in 1922 but his Jewish family fled the country as Nazism took hold, eventually settling in the U.S.A. He trained in electronics and while working for defense contractor Sanders Associates he and two colleagues started work on a prototype console that could plug into a standard television. This one invention, among many of his later inventions, would be the most revolutionary. Ralph Baer was a god because he was the cornerstone of invention and entertainment.

Ralph Baer was a brave child and man. When he was just a child he and his family had to flee Germany just as the Nazism took hold. As an adult Ralph served in the U.S. army during WW2. Baer served one year stateside and two years overseas in Europe assigned to Military Intelligence. He soon became a recognized expert on military small arms. He returned in 1946 with 18 tons of foreign small arms. He would donate these weapons to three U.S. army exhibits across the country including Fort Riley. His service in the military was not however the most honorable thing Baer has ever done.

Baer is an innovator and inspiration. Baer, along with his colleagues, invented the first ever home game console known as "the brown box." This doesn't seem like much today but back then it was the best thing since sliced bread. The secret to the gaming was digital files (video games) stored on "cards." Along with this great concept obviously had to come the game, this is when pong was released. Pong, being the first ever video game, was nothing more the bouncing a ball back and forth yet just being able to sit at home and play was astonishing.

It wasn't until months later that Ralph introduced the first ever accessory. The light gun was the cherry on top. Alongside the light gun came the ability to shoot in game objects from your living room. The brown box was not Baer's only invention, not by a long shot. Baer invented thing that are still in use today. One of Baer's famous inventions still around today is "Simon." A simple memory challenge in which one tries to copy a color pattern performed by the machine.

Ralph Baer is truly a god for all he has done in the field of electronics. Some people might say he destroyed today's society with his invention. This is not the case. His invention has contributed to many others. We may not have as much as we have today without him. We might not have cell phones or advanced video technology. Ralph Baer to me has skipped the step of hero and went straight to god. If anything is for certain, its that he has left his mark in time.