Blips on a Screen: How Ralph Baer Invented TV Video Gaming and Launched a Worldwide Obsession by Kate Hannigan

Blips on a Screen: How Ralph Baer Invented TV Video Gaming and Launched a Worldwide Obsession Reviews

• 
  Kathryn

  Outstanding! I thoroughly enjoyed this endearing biography of Ralph Baer and, more importantly, so did my six-year-old and nine-year-old. It's hard to find picture book biographies that are satisfying enough for my oldest but not overwhelming for my youngest. This strikes the perfect balance, full of information that makes Baer come to life but doesn't bog down in details. The illustrations have a retro-vibe and somewhat cartoon-y style that feels like a perfect match for the story's content and era. In addition to learning about a fascinating individual, children will also come away remembering that success is often preceded by failure(s) and that it's the learning and growing and not giving up through these "failures" that brings about eventual success. The back matter is great, filling in more details about Ralph's life and including several photographs, and a timeline, resources, and acknowledgements (including the Ralph Baer's own son). Also explains the "four crucial steps evey inventor must take when developing an idea into a product: Document it, make a prototype, patent it, implement it (produce and sell it). Incidentally, I saw there's another picture book biography about Baer that came out about the same time. I skimmed it but it didn't seem as engaging nor as thoroughly researched so I would probably recommend this one first.
• 
  Becky

  First sentence: Rudolf "Rolf" Baer loved games. Money and food had grown scarce everywhere after the Great Depression began in 1929.
  
  Premise/plot: Blips on a Screen is a picture book biography of Ralph Baer. (ETA: Perhaps this isn't quite true. It is limited in its scope. What we have is a focused biography on Baer as an inventor of video games.) As a child, he along with his family, were Jewish refugees to the United States in 1938. It is the biography of the inventor of television video gaming. Much of the book has a setting of mid to late 1960s to early 1970s.
  
  My thoughts: The book offers young readers a brief introduction to the pioneer 'early days' of video games. The narrative is fairly straightforward and reads like a story. The back matter is much more detailed--and in some ways even more fascinating. I enjoyed seeing the detailed timeline!
• 
  Villain E

  Honestly? I was so interested in this, I have no idea what my kids thought.
  
  A biography of Ralph Baer who invented the TV Video Game system. Wordy, as picture book biographies often are. Baer was a jewish kid whose family got out of Nazi Germany in 1938. He was working with machines from a young age. He worked in radio repair, then designing televisions, but he wanted something more interactive. While working for a military electronics company, in his spare time he developed the first TV game unit. With other engineers at his job, and with his kids as beta testers, he continued to develop what became the Odyssey, the commercial home video game system.
  
  The art effectively tells the story. Ralph Baer is presented as smart and friendly. I appreciate that his appearance ages over time.
• 
  Kiera Beddes

  A picture book biography about German-Jewish refugee Ralph Baer and his quest to make gaming on the television a reality during the 20th century.
  
  This picture book is trying to do a lot of things all at once and falls short. First of all, it’s a very niche topic. Yes, lots of kids play video games, however, only a small minority are interested in the early days of the field, especially in a form few of them would recognize or have had experience with. Secondly, is it a biography or a history of the first video game? Doing both divided the focus of the book. Lastly, the art was choppy and not very engaging. I could see this being used in a computer science class, maybe, but it wouldn’t be one that kids would pick up on their own.
• 
  Donna

  Nice, concise biography of the inventor of the first TV video game.
  Ralph had an idea, didn't lose hope, and kept at it.
  Great question and answers in the back, along with a timeline and additional resources.
• 
  Ms. Yingling

  Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central
  
  Born in 1922 in Germany, Ralph Baer played lots of different games that were typical of his era, most of which involved physical action, often outside. When Hitler came to power, his family managed to leave the country right before the borders were shut, which was important, since they were Jewish. Upon arriving in the US at the age of 16, Baer took a job at a leather factory, but was more interested in the machines and making them run well. He took courses in radio repair, and used some of these skills in the army during WWII. When he returned home, television was an up and coming medium, and he saw the potential in this new technology. He took a job designing televisions, but often thought that the passive medium could be made more exciting if there were an interactive element. He experimented with various versions of a "game box" and carefully documented his process, filing innovations with the patent office. Working with other engineers that he met through his job with an electronics company, he came up with a working prototype of a video game. It took years to develop and fine tune this invention, and his company was not interested in marketing it, because they were a military electronics company. No one was interested in this new type of game, but he finally worked with a television company to sell the Skill-O-Vision game system, that eventually was renamed Odyssey. This was slow to catch on, but eventually became popular and lead to the development of many, many more games.
  
  My favorite part of this whole book was information in the text and the page devoted in the back to documenting inventions so that brilliant ideas can receive credit! What an important bit of information. While he lacked formal scientific education, Baer's skills, development process, and record keeping adhere strongly to scientific principles! He developed other products as well, and had a long career in the electronics industry, which is inspirational. Sometimes, hard work and persistence do pay off. Of course, his story also illustrates how if you work for a tech company, they benefit monetarily from anything that you develop while in their employ.
  
  OHora's heavily black outlined artwork captures the feel of the 1950s and 60s with lots of avocado green and harvest gold, and Baer's outfits are all on point, with his scientific short shirt sleeves, sweaters, and ties, in addition to his black framed spectables. The text is set well in the pages, and there's not too much of it to preclude read alouds. While I would have liked a bit more about the names of companies or scientific process, this offers a great overview for younger readers who might struggle with more details, but a great introduction to an interesting tech figure for older readers who might then be motivated to find more information.
  
  There are lots of picture book biographies, but young readers who are obsessed with computers and video games will be fascinated to see that video games haven't been around all that long. Pair this with books about other technological innovators such as Krull's The Boy Who Invented T.V. (about Philo T. Farnsworth), Gigliotti's Who Was Nikola Tesla Saving the Day Parson's Garrett Morgan's Life-changing Invention of the Traffic Signal, or Gilbert's The Marvelous Thing That Came From A Spring (about the invention of the Slinky!).
• 
  Barbara

  With colorful, cartoonlike illustrations created with acrylic paints, this biography tells the fascinating story of inventor Ralph Baer, the father of video games. Immigrating from Germany to New York City with his Jewish parents during Adolph Hitler's rise to power, Ralph eventually became involved in the radio and television business, but passively staring at a television screen held little appeal for him. Eventually, he began experimenting with lights and blips and came up with a simple video game that his own children tested in 1972. His employers weren't interested in his invention; nor were several other companies. But Magnavox was, and they were richly rewarded when Ralph's home video game took off with large sales, growing in popularity in leaps and bounds. While I'm probably one of the few individuals largely disinterested in video games and the video game craze, Ralph's story of ingenuity, persistence, and optimism is inspiring, partly because he drew on his skills and knowledge from various jobs for his entertainment projects. The book contains questions and answers that expand on the content in the story as well as a timeline tracing the important events in Ralph's life and that of his inventions. There are even tips for would-be inventors so that their ideas can't be stolen by others. While I never found much interest in chasing blobs around a screen in Pac-Man fashion or playing Pong on the television screen, it's impossible to argue that this man changed the world of home entertainment. Add this picture book to a collection devoted to inventors and agents of change.
• 
  Karen

  This was a great read! Hannigan provides a biography for Ralph Baer, a German-Jewish immigrant to the US who showed intelligence, creativity, and perseverance in his efforts in creating the first video game.
  
  I'm not a very technical person, but Hannigan gives great step-by-step explanations to how Baer developed his first game. After that game is launched, she stands back and explains some concepts, such as 1. documentation 2. prototype 3. patent, and 4, implement (aka produce and sell).
  
  Zachariah Ohora's illustrations help make the book more engaging to young readers. Also, they have a 1960s feel, which is the decade when most of the development took place even though the game (called Odyssey) launched in 1972. I was interested in the fact that Baer also invented the hand-held memory game Simon. I bought one of those my senior year in high school, and I thought it was super cool.
  
  The back matter includes the following:
  
  Question & Answers (which includes photographs of Ralph Baer)
  Timeline
  Resources
  Acknowledgements
  
  I can imagine readers ages 9 to 13 enjoying this book, but the pictures make this accessible to younger readers if some of the more technical parts are paraphrased. And the information is specific enough that older readers will learn things about game development in general and about Baer's contributions specifically.
  
  Fun, engaging, informative!
• 
  Karen Kline

  A top-notch biography of an inventor with high interest for today's young readers. STEM and themes of growth mindset, perseverance, and creativity as well as important milestones and context for history and social studies topics will make this a MUST share for classrooms. This is one of those gems that will work for older as well as younger readers K12.
  
  Ralph Baer immigrated from Nazi Germany to the US with his family as a young boy just prior to WWII. He worked for a government contractor for much of his life, and while working on radio technology he saw the opportunity to create television-based games. He is the father of the first video game system, The Odyssey. He was keen to document his ideas with over 150 patents. Bibliography, timeline, and extensive back matter enhance the text.
  
  One of my favorite reads of 2022!
• 
  Diane

  “For Ralph Baer—and for game lovers around the world—life was about to become a whole lot more fun.”
  
  The story of the life of Ralph Baer, forced to flee Germany with his Jewish family in 1938. He worked hard and learned all he could. His knowledge about radioes helped him when he jointed the army during World War II. When he returned home, he began learning about televisions, but felt the experience was too passive. How could he make TV more interactive? The story takes the reader through the invention process including documenting his ides, developing a prototype, getting a patent for his intellectual property and producing and selling his product.
  
  Great read aloud illustrating many Habits of Mind. Includes an author’s note, a timeline of events and a solid list of resources for further reading.
• 
  Sandy Brehl

  I lived through this era of NO video games to the present, and I can't begin to explain to contemporary kids just how utterly amazing it was for this innovation/invention to land in the world. The bio/profile of creative, game-minded, skilled, and determined Ralph Baer is well-written with a brief mention of his game-playing-loving childhood through to his adult years on a mission. His deep commitment to reshaping visual/television technology to a game-based outlet for kids AND adults is inspiring and fascinating. Illustrator OHORA applies his characteristic 'retro" approach's with colors, forms, and layouts that evoke picture books of the past. it suits this story thoroughly and keeps it kid-friendly for the youngest through teens and adults.
  
• 
  Liz

  This picture book biography does a great job telling the biography of Ralph Baer while also teaching kids about the patent process. (I really like that the 4 steps (document, prototype, patent, and implement) to turn an idea into a product were underlined as they came up in the book.) It's a good read aloud for preschool and up, which is perfect because preschoolers start playing video games, often ones pretty similar to Baer's creations. I'm on the fence if the colorful acrylic illustrations are better than more photographs, but maybe not that many exist? It's a good message that successful ideas come with a combination of "timing, skill, and enthusiasm." This would be a good read aloud before a technology or gaming program for preschool or elementary school kids.
• 
  Read Ribbet

  This is a fascinating picture book biography that tells the little-known tale of Ralph Baer and his quest to invent the first television game console. A Jewish refuge, Ralph's life takes many turns but he never gives up his quest to develop a device to play games on TV. The book shares a lot of interesting facts and the end notes contain additional questions and answers about Baer's life, a step by step process for inventing, a time line of Bear's life and the video gaming industry and additional resources and references. Another example of how picture book biographies often tell the stories of people we should all know about but often do not.
• 
  Francis S. Poesy

  I'm a sucker for stories about inventors and their inventions. This is a playfully illustrated book that is not only inspirational for inventors, young and old, but also a very interesting behind-the-scenes look that touches on both the humanity of the inventor and the long, and sometimes thankless journey of the creative/inventing life.
  
  My only comment would be that the reasoning behind why Ralph's employer was able to share in his patents and receive much of the licensing money could have been addressed in the extensive and very interesting backmatter. When you create something as an employee or with your employer's resources, they basically own your work product.
• 
  Kristine

  I took this out of my public library, and was really impressed with the whole book. I love the storytelling of the actual text, and the Q&A style additional info at the back features even more info about the gaming pioneer Ralph Baer who'd been previously unknown to me. A fascinating biography, a great look at how the passions we pursue in between our jobs and responsibilities can make big change, and fun illustrations that capture the early gaming feel. I love the note that Baer's own children became the first gamer kids out there!
• 
  Dawn

  I don't know if this could really be considered a biography, but I did read it as part of our biography unit. My class especially enjoyed learning about how video games started. The fact that the person was someone who survived the second world war waI don't know if this could really be considered a biography, but I did read it as part of our biography unit. My class especially enjoyed learning about how video games started. The fact that the person was someone who survived the second world war was also very interesting to my class. s also very interesting to my class.
• 
  Marcia

  This was a terrific picture book biography about Ralph Baer the inventor of the first video game which became the Magnavox Odyssey. Escaping Nazi Germany and working hard to learn new skills Ralph is an inspiring inventor. The book is a great addition to any design thinking project or invention convention as it introduces prototypes, patents, and iterations. This book made me fondly remember the many hours my siblings and I spent playing "Pong"! Thank you, Ralph!
• 
  Bethe

  Biography of the “Father of Video Games” : childhood escape from Nazi Germany, American army stint, radio repair and tv design, inventor of video games. Always love Ohora’s illustrations. Solid back matter with Q&A, timeline, and resources. Only drawback is my personal pet peeve of not citing what I perceive in this book as direct quotes, the speech bubbles. Guess here they are more part of the conversational illustrations as opposed to official direct quotes.
• 
  Amber Spencer

  This is a great book to introduce kids to the history of video gaming. I love that the author really highlighted the hardships Baer and his family endured in Nazi occupied Germany before coming to the United States. The end of the book has a great Q&A, timeline, and resources page for further reading. If you have a kiddo that loves video games or is interested in maybe making their own one day, this is a must read.
• 
  Debra

  I love this addition for my inventor and gaming lovers to read! I immediatly needed this book seeing Pong on the TV. I had no idea that Ralph Baer from military fame created the Odyssey gaming system. The story is interesting and the backmatter is deep including a timeline and detailed source information. I really loved the endpages of the details of the gaming system innards. I am sure my students will, as well. Thank you Kate Hannigan and Zachariah Ohora on this fabulous book!
• 
  Sandy

  This picture book is both a fascinating biography and an informative look at the process of an inventer. The story follows Baer from his childhood as a German Jewish refugee to his career in radio/television repair. But the part of the story my child found most interesting was his years spent inventing the first TV video game. The book descibes the process of documentation to prototype
  to patent, and finally implementation. An interesting read for kids interesting in gaming and engineering.
• 
  Panda Incognito

  This picture book biography is informative and engaging, and the author did a great job incorporating historical context and basic scientific explanations for young readers who might not have the necessary knowledge to frame some elements of this story. This is very nicely done overall, and will appeal to kids and adults.
• 
  Dina

  An interesting biography about a little known figure in history! I enjoyed learning about Ralph Baer and what he went through in order to invent TV video gaming. Good use of back matter--thank you for including resources and questions/answers section! Beautiful illustrations, unique topic and a storyline that flows well!
• 
  Brooke - TheBrookeList

  Blips on a Screen is such fun! This colorful & playful story about Ralph Baer’s life and inventions is top notch. Video games began somewhere, and this was it! Who knew? A biography any kid would enjoy.
  
  Read as a nomination in the non-fiction book award category as a panelist for Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards (Cybils Awards).
• 
  Jessie

  A biography of Ralph Baer, focused on how he developed an early/the first commercial TV video game, but also in some ways more about the process of invention. (There's a big emphasis on documentation here!)
  
  It would have been nice for more to have been shown of the video ping-pong game because it's likely not familiar to the target audience! (Honestly, Simon could be more familiar.)
• 
  Alexis

  Great introduction to inventive concepts through the story of how Ralph Baer invented the first TV video games system. Rich back matter includes primer on the inventive process, Q&A about Ralph's accomplishments, and a detailed timeline. Highly recommend!
• 
  Mela

  not my jam but kids and reluctant readers will love. vocab explained and given as a formula for inventimg something of one's own? detailed and accessibly formated back matter raises the bar here. colorful illustrations add to the text.