Bernard Loomis

Bernard Loomis has passed away at the age of 82.

Loomis was president of Kenner toys in the late 70's and was the guy who said "Hey, let's make Star Wars toys." That decision changed the entire toy industry. For the next twenty years, every company copied the scale, the price point and the accessories of the Star Wars line.

I'm willing to bet there is not a single reader here who hasn't played with a Star Wars toy. The Millennium Falcon was so well designed it's still being produced thirty years later. I doubt I would have worked in the toy industry if it hadn't been for Loomis. Hell, Todd McFarlane wouldn't have worked in the toy industry if it hadn't been for Loomis.

Here's a great interview with Bernard Loomis chronicling his entire career.