At the Division of Games Launch event, Games Chair, Dr. Michael Young, announced the creation of the Ralph H. Baer Endowed Lecture, a meaningful tribute to one of the most influential innovators in the history of electronic play. Present for the announcement was Ralph’s son, Mark Baer.

The Endowed Lecture is established through the generosity of Mark and his wife, Christina Baer (BA ’85, German), and honors Ralph Baer’s extraordinary legacy while creating a new opportunity to inspire students for generations to come.

Ralph Baer helped launch the modern video game industry when he invented the first video game console, the Brown Box (now in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian), which became the Magnavox Odyssey. In addition, Baer is credited with more than 150 patents, including the technology behind Teddy Ruxpin, an animatronic toy that combined storytelling with synchronized audio and movement; the Duck Hunt Zapper, a game controller that brought interactive gameplay to home consoles; and the electronic memory game Simon, which challenged players to recall increasingly complex sequences of lights and sounds.   

Beginning in the 2026–27 academic year, the annual Ralph H. Baer Endowed Lecture will bring prominent voices in games and interactive technology to campus, connecting students with industry leaders and new ideas. The annual lecture will serve as a catalyst for exploration and innovation across the Division of Games, the College of Architecture and Planning, and the broader University community.

Through this endowment, the Baer family ensures that Ralph’s legacy lives on and encourages students to be curious and continue pushing the boundaries of what games and technology can achieve.