Inventor Eddy Goldfarb Shares His Thoughts.
Who is Eddy Goldfarb?
Eddy Goldfarb at age 102, is probably the world's most successful, living toy/game designer alive. He has been designing and building toys and games for over 70 years and has over 800 toys to his credit along with 300 patents.
In fact, he claims his longevity to his constant curiosity and creativity towards building things. “When you start with nothing and create something it stimulates your brain and body.”
Keep your curiosity and creativity flowing.
Wanting to be a physicist in the1920, but lacking money for college he wound up serving in the Navy aboard a submarine. He got the idea of designing toys that were cheap to make and kept a notebook of all his ideas. Doing the math he figured if a toy could sell a million units he could do pretty well, with the bonus of entertaining families.
Play to your strengths.
His first hit was in 1949; the infamous chattering teeth called Yakity Yak. The toy sold millions of sets, but he only made $900 when he sold the rights. He learned the lesson about owning royalty rights for future creations.
Own the idea! Learn from your mistakes.
At Eddy's height of popularity, he owned 3 buildings and employed 39 people. Eddy was creating so prolifically that he was not able to play most of his creations. His family and friends reaped the rewards but was sworn to secrecy to not reveal the ideas until they were released.
Don’t spill the beans until you are ready.
Eddy’s secret for living? “You have to be an optimist but you have to love rejection”
He mentions that your next idea could be that next big thing.
Take the hint from 102-year-old Eddy, the creator of KerPlunk, Battle Tops, Giant Bubble Gun, and Chutes Away. He knows a thing or two. The 6-lesson recap from Eddy Goldfarb is:
Keep your curiosity and creativity flowing.
Play to your strengths.
Own the idea
Learn from your mistakes.
Don’t spill the beans until you are ready.
Be an optimist and love rejection.
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