| Jack Ryan | |
| Birth Date: | 12 November 1926 |
| Death Place: | Bel-Air, Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation: | Designer |
| Spouse: | |
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]
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.
Ryan's relationship with Mattel soured, and in 1980 he sued Mattel for royalties; the company settled out of court.
Ryan suffered a debilitating stroke in 1989; he died by gun suicide on August 13, 1991.[7] [8] [1]
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