André Cassagnes

Early Life and Career Change

André Cassagnes, who was born on September 23, 1926, in Belleville, a Paris suburb, France, was the son of bakers. He first worked in his parents' bakery, but a flour allergy led him to seek a different career path. This unforeseen reversal led him to become trained and employed as an electrician and electromechanical technician, a career change that would ultimately give rise to one of the most iconic creations of the 20th century.

The Accidental Discovery

In the late 1950s, as an employee of Lincrusta, a French firm that manufactured vinyl wallpaper and coverings, Cassagnes stumbled upon something by accident. Peeling off a decal from a light switch plate, he observed that the picture carried over to the back of the plastic because of static electricity. This easy phenomenon fascinated him. Encouraged, he started working on a mechanical drawing toy that employed identical electrostatic and stylus-based concepts.

Development of "L'Écran Magique"

Cassagnes worked for months to perfect his invention. It became a prototype he titled "L'Écran Magique" ("The Magic Screen"). It had a screen dusted with aluminum powder and a stylus operated by two knobs, which rubbed the powder off the back of the screen to create dark lines. The picture could be "erased" by shaking the screen, redistributing the powder. In 1959, Cassagnes introduced his invention at the International Toy Fair in Nuremberg, Germany, and it was spotted by executives of the Ohio Art Company in the United States.

Commercial Success as the Etch A Sketch

Ohio Art moved quickly to see the potential of the toy and bought the rights for $25,000—a large amount at the time. They renamed the gadget the Etch A Sketch and released it in 1960, just before Christmas. It was an instant hit, entrancing children with its capacity to produce sharp, erasable line artwork with just two knobs. It would eventually become a worldwide toy sensation, selling over 100 million copies and being added to the National Toy Hall of Fame in 1998.

Later Life and Kite Innovations

Even though he created a popular toy, Cassagnes did not grow rich from its popularity. He remained an electrician and eventually directed his creativity into another hobby: kite design. In the 1980s, he was a prominent member of France's kite-making society, creating advanced models that could perform stunning aerodynamic tricks and formation flying. His creative energy never dissipated, and he patented a number of inventions concerning mechanical games and kites.

Legacy and Pop Culture Influence

Although his name was not commonly known, Cassagnes' impact on children's play was gigantic. The Etch A Sketch entered the pop culture realm, showing up in movies such as Toy Story and becoming a nostalgic icon to generations.

Death and Lasting Impact

André Cassagnes passed away on January 16, 2013, at the age of 86 in a Paris suburb. His death was confirmed by toy historians and later by Ohio Art. Although he never amassed a fortune, his creation brought joy to millions and left an indelible imprint in the toy world.