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Jack Ryan (designer)

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This article is about the designer. For other uses, see Jack Ryan.
Jack Ryan
Born(1926-11-12)November 12, 1926
DiedAugust 13, 1991(1991-08-13) (aged 64)[1]
Bel-Air, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Cause of deathSuicide by gun[2]
OccupationDesigner
Spouse(s)Barbara Ryan (m. 19??; div. 19??)
​
​
(m. 1975; div. 1976)​

Linda Henson (m. 19??; div. 19??)
Gari Hardy Lansing(m. 1981; div. 19??)
Magda Ryan
​
(m. 1984)​

John W. "Jack" Ryan (November 12, 1926 – August 13, 1991) was an American designer. Ryan worked at toy company Mattel for 20 years, becoming the company's vice president of research and development. There he was responsible for the Barbie doll, Hot Wheels, and Chatty Cathy.[3][4] He was the sixth husband of actress Zsa Zsa Gabor.[5]

Career

Ryan graduated from Yale University,[citation needed] after which he worked at aerospace company Raytheon as an engineer, working on the AIM-7 Sparrow and MIM-23 Hawk missiles.[4][5]

Mattel hired him for his "space-aged savvy" and knowledge of materials.[6]

Ryan was an eccentric man. For example, he purchased a mansion (known as The Castle) shortly after he began working for Mattel. He installed many creations and inventions into The Castle. He would also start many that were left unfinished. After Mattel started lowering his royalties, Jack had to sell The Castle for under two million dollars.[citation needed]

Evidence of his "space-aged savvy" can be seen in the designs of many of the toys he created for the Mattel line. For instance, the V-RROOM! X-15 velocipede (commonly referred to as a tricycle) which was named after the North American X-15 rocket-powered aircraft that were made for the USAF, the NASA, and the USN. His name also appears on the patent documents of the V-RROOM! bicycles of the 1960s as well as the V-RROOM! toy engines that simulated real motorcycle engine sounds.[citation needed]

At Mattel, Ryan also designed the mechanics of the Chatty Cathy dolls.

Ryan was also known for providing room and board to UCLA students who would in turn work at the many charity events he held at his The Castle.[citation needed]

Ryan sued Mattel with the help of Beverly Hills attorney Murray Lertzman and Jamie Brickell, a partner at Pryor Cashman, and was awarded a judgment of 7.5 million dollars. After the award he bought actor Peter Lorre's former house.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ Myrna Oliver (19 August 1991). "Jack Ryan, 65; Toy Inventor, Missile Designer". Los Angeles Times.
  2. ^ The Toys that Made Us - Season 1 - Episode 2
  3. ^ page of inventors
  4. ^ a b "Fact of the Day - Before he worked on the original Barbie doll, Jack Ryan designed missiles for the Pentagon". Mental Floss. Mental Floss, LLC. 27 December 2002. Archived from the original on 28 October 2005.
  5. ^ a b "Jack Ryan Dies at 65; Designer of Barbie Doll". The Associated Press. 21 August 1991 – via The New York Times.
  6. ^ Lori Leibovich; Suzette Lalime (26 November 1997). "The Skinny on Barbie - Essential facts about her checkered past". Salon. Salon Media Group.
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