Jack Ryan (designer)

John W. 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, and subsequently working as a consultant. He was responsible for the Barbie doll, Hot Wheels, and Chatty Cathy. He was the sixth husband of actress Zsa Zsa Gabor.^[1]

Career

Ryan graduated from Yale University, after which he worked at aerospace company Raytheon as an engineer, working on the AIM-7 Sparrow and MIM-23 Hawk missiles.^[1][2]

Mattel hired him for his "space-aged savvy" and knowledge of materials.^[3]

In 1956, Mattel co-owner Ruth Handler returned from a European vacation with a German-designed Bild Lilli doll. She and Ryan worked on producing a similar fashion doll for the American market (the two later disputed which of them was chiefly responsible for the doll's design).^[4]

Ryan went on to lead Mattel's research and development department, with a research and development budget in 1962 of $1.5 million US dollars.^[5] He developed Chatty Cathy, Ken, Hot Wheels, and Larry the Lion, and was involved in creating the voice systems for Chatty Cathy, Barbie, and Larry the Lion.^[6]

Ryan worked on the V-rroom! X-15 velocipede which was named after the North American X-15 rocket-powered aircraft, and patented the V-RROOM! toy engines that simulated motorcycle engine sounds.^{[citation needed]}

Ryan's relationship with Mattel soured, and in 1980 he sued Mattel for royalties; the company settled out of court.^[4]

Death

Ryan suffered a debilitating stroke in 1989; he died by