Hans Beck

Hans Beck
Born	(1929-05-06)May 6, 1929 Greiz, Thuringia, Germany
Died	January 30, 2009(2009-01-30) (aged 79) Markdorf, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Nationality	German
Known for	Inventing Playmobil toys

Hans Beck (6 May 1929, Greiz – 30 January 2009, Markdorf) was the German inventor of Playmobil toys. He is often described as "The Father of Playmobil". He began to make toys at an early age and trained as a cabinet maker, before being recruited by toy company Geobra Brandstätter in 1958. Beck is responsible for developing the Playmobil figure, which, in 1971, was distinctive from existing toy figures by its movable parts. The Playmobil toy line was launched in 1974 and in 1975 became a global success.