L is for Lite Brite

Full series and process: 90s TOYpography
Website: noahcampdesign.com
Instagram: noahcampdesign

L is for LiteBrite

Before there was pixel art, there was Lite-Brite. Invented all the way back in 1967, it has stuck around for a really long time. With plastic translucent pegs lit up by a lightbulb, you could create designs of your own or based on pre-patterned guides provided in the box. Besides the scary clown all over Lite-Brite ads, Hasbro included design guides of Scooby-Doo, Darth Vader, My Little Pony and even Mr. Potato Head.

Many versions of Lite-Brite have come out since. A giant one named Everbright is 42 times the size of a regular Lite-Brite, and has 464 LED lights that change colors when turned. There is also a phone app, and a version you can play online at http://notian.net/litebrite/ You’re welcome.

As I was researching the history of Lite-Brite, my mind was blown. I didn’t know that you were supposed to use it with paper! I thought you followed the guides by looking at the design, and recreating it. Maybe there were parts missing in my Lite-Brite box, as it was a hand-me-down from my brothers who are a decade older than me. Ignorance is bliss apparently because I still had hours of fun creating “free style” designs on it.