Lite-Brite

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Lite-Brite is an electric toy introduced in 1967 by Hasbro.

Contents 1 Description and Operation 2 Advertising 3 Cultural references 4 Unofficial Lite-Brite Holiday 5 Warning 6 External links

[edit] Description and Operation

Lite-Brite allows the artist to create a "glowing" picture. The picture is created by placement of multi-colored translucent plastic pegs through opaque black paper. The light from an illuminated light bulb is blocked by the black paper except where the pegs conduct the light through. When lit, the pegs have an appearance similar to that of LEDs.

[edit] Advertising

• The famous Lite-Brite commercial jingle begins: "Lite-Brite, Lite-Brite, Turn on the magical shining light!"

• Another jingle featured "Lite-Brite, makin' things with light. Outtasite, makin' things with Lite-Brite."

• The Turner Broadcasting Network used magnetic LED devices which produced images similar to those of Lite-Brite in a marketing campaign to promote its Adult Swim show, Aqua Teen Hunger Force. After being posted throughout 9 US cities for two to three weeks, their appearance sparked a bomb scare in Boston MA.

Main article: 2007 Boston Mooninite Scare

[edit] Cultural references

• The television show Family Guy referenced Lite-Brite in the Season 4 episode, "Breaking Out Is Hard To Do":
  • Mayor Adam West: Dammit, Swanson, I want them found!
    Joe Swanson: Mayor West, we have every available man looking for the Griffins. We just don't have any leads.
    Mayor Adam West: Not the Griffins, you moron! The rest of my Lite-Brite pieces! My name isn't Adam We... or is it? Who am I? What number did you dial? Don't ever call here again! (Adam hangs up) I guess I told him! Nobody messes with Adam We.
• In the season 1 episode, "The Best Christmas Ever", of the television show That 70s Show, Michael Kelso says that Lite-Brite was his favorite Christmas toy, saying "It's fun making things with Lite-Brite."
• Elliott Smith refers to a Lite-Brite in the opening line of his song, "A Fond Farewell", from his posthumous record, "From a Basement on the Hill".
• Homestar Runner has a game called Astro-Lite, which is similar to Lite-Brite.
• The television show Futurama referenced Lite-Brite in the episode "Mars University"
  • Professor: What device invented in the Twentieth Century allowed people to view broadcast programs in their own homes?
    Fry: Oh, I know this…what do you call it…Lite Brite!
• The web comic Least I Could Do features a strip where Rayne uses Lite-Brite in the trunk of a car.

[edit] Unofficial Lite-Brite Holiday

• The annual, unofficial, international, and universal holiday for the celebration of all things Lite-Brite is on the 26th of March. Introduced by user: "plut" of the forum Citadel of Truth, this holiday is for young and old alike. The creation of the holiday is to bridge generational gaps, the older fans sharing their passion with younger ones. This is a way for the Lite-Brite to live on. Relive your artistic masterpieces and engrossing experiences that didn't involve high-tech videogames and television shows. Celebrate it every 26th of March!

[edit] Warning

Because it uses electricity and contains small pieces, Lite-Brite is not recommended for children under the age of six.

[edit] External links

• Hasbro's Lite-Brite
• Lite-Brite pen @ Review the World
• Lite-Brite Simulator
• Stop motion video done with Lite Brites