George Lerner

George Lerner (1922–1995) was an American inventor known for inventing the toy Mr. Potato Head.^[1]

George Lerner
Born	1922 Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died	1995(1995-00-00) (aged 72–73) United States
Occupation(s)	Artist graphic designer model maker businessman

Biography

George Lerner was born in Brooklyn, New York. He was artist, graphic designer and model maker.^[2] In 1949, he designed and produced a first generation set of plastic face pieces. The push pin shaped noses, ears, eyes, and mouth parts could be pushed into fruits or vegetables to transform the food into playmates.^[3] The toy did not take off at first because post-World War II consumers didn't like the idea of wasting food by playing with it.^[4] Lerner finally sold the toy for $5,000 to a cereal company. The toys were planned to be a premium giveaway in cereal boxes. But when Lerner found a better deal offered by toy manufacturer Hassenfeld Brothers (now Hasbro), Lerner and the manufacturer bought the rights back for $7,000.^[5] Hasbro officially named the toy Mr. Potato Head.^[6]

In 1964 and 1975, Lerner's original designs got their plastic head and size upgrades respectively, in order to comply with government issued safety regulations.^[7]

Lerner died in 1995.^{[citation needed]}

Personal life

Lerner was Jewish, and was of Romanian-Jewish descent.^[8][9]