I was an engineer at Hasbro for 20 years...

**hasbroengineer** · 12-05-2005

I thought it might be fun to introduce myself and offer answers to whatever questions I can answer.

I designed/engineered the following products:

1985 A.W.E. Striker
It was very fun to do and challenging to hide all of the snaps. I personally drew every part in pencil on vellum as it was in the pre CAD days. I am particularly proud of the articulating steering and suspension. We were unable to afford acetal plastic for the suspension, so unfortunately it does sag a bit over time. I have five virgin samples that I snagged off the assembly line. Some day I'll offer them for sale.

1987 Defiant Space Shuttle Complex
This was a monster! I was responsible for the crawler and gantry portion, another engineer did the booster, and yet another did the shuttle itself. I designed the crawler and many of its components in 3-D wireframe and had as many as 12 draftsmen doing the actual parts drawings. I did the crawler base drawing in CAD, comprising 5 E-size sheets with 42 section views...yikes! It was so huge, I used a boxed sample as a table in my office for the next 3 years. Finally got it home after borrowing a pick-up truck.

1990 Avalanche
Except for the tank treads, this was pretty much done in CAD, with the help of 1 draftsman. The disk shooter was fun to do, and the spring-loaded missile launcher was a new design, the internals of which I standardized for use in many products for years to come. That's why most missiles are interchangeable after 1990 for a few years.

1992 G.I. Joe Headquarters
I did this job completely myself in CAD with the addition of sandbags, rocks, seat detail, etc. added by sculptors. I really like how the gatling gun turned out.

That's it. Went on to preschool, infant and girls toys for the next 11 years.

If you have any questions, comments, or whatever, I try to answer. I'll visit from time to time, but I'm not a collector, so be patient

**mizak23** · 12-05-2005

That's really cool. I'm actually in college trying to learn Industrial design, so I guess my question is what do you suggest I learn and focus on?

**hasbroengineer** · 12-05-2005

Originally Posted by mizak23

That's really cool. I'm actually in college trying to learn Industrial design, so I guess my question is what do you suggest I learn and focus on?

It depends on which area you want to focus on. There is the engineering aspect, and the design aspect.

The designer pretty much supplies the engineer with drawings/renderings and sometimes a non-working model. The engineer takes that info and makes it work and be manufacturable, safe, reliable, and cost-effective. That was my end, and I have a masters degree in mechanical engineering from MIT. Industrial design is a fine way to enter into the design end, and you should be very talented with Adobe Illustrator.

It's a fun career, but not too many jobs out there.

(edit) I should also add that most of the engineering is now done in China by the factories themselves to shave costs. The factories throw in the engineering for free in order to get the business. This started about 5 years ago, so this is not a very good way to proceed nowadays (I was layed off after 20 years).

**Ron Conner - Treasures 'N Toys** · 12-05-2005

Welcome to the message board. It is very nice of you to offer inside info and to answer questions. I am sure many collectors would love to get their hands on some of those prototype pieces, including myself. But I can imagine they are close to your heart since you were their creator. It is nice to be able to give thanks to you directly for designing some very cool features on those vehicles. Thank you!
God Bless and Yo Joe,
Ron Conner
G.I. Joe Book Author @ http://www.backinthedaytoys.com/bitdt.htm
G.I. Joe Toy Dealer @ http://www.treasuresntoys.com/gijoe334.htm
G.I. Joe Fan Site Webmaster @ http://www.treasuresntoys.com/webcamp.htm

**Icebreaker** · 12-05-2005

Originally Posted by hasbroengineer

It depends on which area you want to focus on. There is the engineering aspect, and the design aspect.

The designer pretty much supplies the engineer with drawings/renderings and sometimes a non-working model. The engineer takes that info and makes it work and be manufacturable, safe, reliable, and cost-effective. That was my end, and I have a masters degree in mechanical engineering from MIT. Industrial design is a fine way to enter into the design end, and you should be very talented with Adobe Illustrator.

It's a fun career, but not too many jobs out there.

(edit) I should also add that most of the engineering is now done in China by the factories themselves to shave costs. The factories throw in the engineering for free in order to get the business. This started about 5 years ago, so this is not a very good way to proceed nowadays (I was layed off after 20 years).

After 20 years!?

What do you think of the current state of the toy industry?
How did you like working with Designers (ID, toy, product, whatnot) as compared to working with other engineers?
What were (and what are now) the software programs used for CAD? (autoCAD?)
I would like to know more about plastics--what are common types of polymers used in toys? Can you tell us more about a "drop test?" Flues, runners, gates, I'd like to know if there are any certain specifics needed with toys.

Well, anyway, you've been bombarded here, but like everyone else, thank you for sharing some insights!!

BTW, the AWE striker is great, 20 years old and still as good as new!

**FireFox91** · 12-05-2005

The Defiant is one of my favorites in my collection. Part of that is because of all the hard work you and your old co-workers put into it and part because of the work I put into restoring mine. It's a great toy that only death or deep financial disaster will separate me from it!

I do have a question for you. What made you decide to stop by the board now and share your experiences?

**residentmockery** · 12-10-2011

But I am hasbroengineer's daughter, and I'd like to let you all know that he passed away from brain cancer in 2010.

I found this when Googling his name - he died when I was seventeen... and I've found myself knowing very little about him, so I'm very glad that you all seem to have appreciated his genius as much as I do.

My father was a brilliant man, and I hope, even with all disagreement about his actual identity - you all understand that. I had that iPod nano. I loved that iPod, and I participated to bring your daughter to work day - so yeah. He was an engineer, I had been in his office, etc. etc.

Anyway, sorry - I just wanted to comment.

**KING** · 12-05-2005

NICE!

Welcome aboard!!!

**Obiwanjacoby** · 12-05-2005

Originally Posted by hasbroengineer

I thought it might be fun to introduce myself and offer answers to whatever questions I can answer.

I designed/engineered the following products:

Some of us may have your actual identity attached to certain preproduction paperwork on file. Would you allow your name to be released on this forum, or would you prefer to remain anonymous?

1985 A.W.E. Striker
It was very fun to do and challenging to hide all of the snaps. I personally drew every part in pencil on vellum as it was in the pre CAD days. I am particularly proud of the articulating steering and suspension. We were unable to afford acetal plastic for the suspension,

What kind of plastic is that? May we ask questions regarding plastics?

so unfortunately it does sag a bit over time.

No problem. Slide a penny in there and it's all good.

1987 Defiant Space Shuttle Complex
This was a monster!

Were the designs based on any pre-existing BPs or anything from Popular Mechanics?

I was responsible for the crawler and gantry portion, another engineer did the booster, and yet another did the shuttle itself. I designed the crawler and many of its components in 3-D wireframe

Were these the same wireframe graphics used in the commercials?

and had as many as 12 draftsmen doing the actual parts drawings. I did the crawler base drawing in CAD, comprising 5 E-size sheets with 42 section views...yikes! It was so huge, I used a boxed sample as a table in my office for the next 3 years. Finally got it home after borrowing a pick-up truck.

Do any of the printouts still exist? Can you recall how long the project took from start-to-finish?

That's it. Went on to preschool, infant and girls toys for the next 11 years.

Was that your choice, or someone elses? What was your preferred department?

If you have any questions, comments, or whatever, I try to answer. I'll visit from time to time, but I'm not a collector, so be patient

Thanks, we appreciate it. These threads get buried frequently, but bring it back up whenever you want. The original designers are frequently eulogized; maybe you don't realize just how many fans you have.

Welcome to the forum!

-PJ