Why Every Video Game Loving Kid Should Know about Jerry Lawson
Three podcasts for kids honor the life and legacy of a video game pioneer.
Celebrating artists, scientists and inventors on their birthdays is one of the many reasons why Google commissions original Google Doodles. So, it’s not surprising that Jerry Lawson, early video game pioneer, was honored with a special interactive Google Doodle in December 2022 on what would have been his 82nd birthday. Gerald “Jerry” Lawson was the engineer responsible for “Channel F,” the first gaming console with interchangeable video game cartridges. His work changed the course of an entire industry and made it possible for the creation of the video game systems we enjoy today.
Mr. Lawson’s life and legacy is worth exploring, especially for kids who are curious to discover the who, how, what and why behind their favorite electronic pastimes. Here are three recommendations for podcasts about this legendary father of modern gaming:
Dorktales Storytime Podcast EP48 Jerry Lawson, Hidden Hero of History
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Dorktales Storytime’s hidden heroes of history episode about Jerry Lawson transports listeners into a video game on an epic quest to learn about his life. Upon entering a role-playing game (RPG), Mr. Lawson’s life unfolds before the storytellers as they uncover clues from a knight and a dragon. They discover a treasure trove of fascinating facts, from his early days as an inquisitive kid who made walkie-talkies from scratch to his ultimate discoveries and inventions that rocked the video game industry. But the quest is interrupted when the Wizard of Wickedness tries to prevent Mr. Lawson’s story from making it into the history books. His evil attempt to make us all forget are thwarted by Mr. Lawson’s legacy of honors and programs that work to train and bring more opportunities to Black and Indigenous game developers.
The Past and the Curious Podcast EP73 Video Games!
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Mick Sullivan, creator and host of The Past and the Curious history podcast, highlights two early video game pioneers — Ralph Baer and Jerry Lawson — in his episode on video games.
“Ralph Baer fled Nazi Germany with his family, began repairing radios, and later, televisions,” says Mick. “The idea of using a TV for video games popped into his mind long before he did it, and when he finally did, he created the first home video game console.”
“Like him, Jerry Lawson grew up in New York City and repaired radios and televisions. His curiosity to get the most out of technology took him to California where he was one of the few Black engineers working with computers. Building on the ideas that Ralph Baer gave the world, Jerry led the way in developing changeable cartridges for video game consoles.”
Mick thinks of how popular gaming is today and how amazing it is that we are able to play in our own homes, thanks in large part to two men with stories like Mr. Lawson’s and Mr. Baer’s. “But really, it’s not surprising at all,” he surmises, “As they are both great representatives of the soul of humanity.”
Raising the Game — Anthony Frasier, ABF Creative on Audible
“Why haven’t we heard about Jerry Lawson?” thought Anthony Frasier, who asked the question back when he was a video game journalist interested in covering people of color in the gaming industry. He promised himself that one day he would come up with a way to honor him in a big, big way after uncovering an obscure article about the pivotal role Jerry Lawson played in the industry’s early days.
Today, Anthony owns ABF Creative, an award-winning podcast network, and when Audible approached him to write, narrate and produce exclusive stories on their platform, he remembered his pledge and knew immediately which story he would tell first. In “Raising the Game,” Anthony dives deep into Mr. Lawson’s untold story, tracking down his friends, colleagues and some of the most creative people in business and tech to find out who this pioneer was and why he became a “hidden figure” in the world of videogames.
“This podcast is about struggle, genius, and the secret origins of some of the greatest videogames ever.” Kids of all ages will be inspired!
