Denys Fisher

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Denys Fisher (b. May 11 1918, Leeds, England, d. September 17, 2002, Furness, England) was a toy maker and publisher of board games in the United Kingdom. He left Leeds University to join the family firm, Kingfisher (Lubrication) Ltd. In 1960 he left the firm to set up his own company, Denys Fisher Engineering, in Leeds. In 1961 the company won a contract with NATO to supply springs and precision component for its 20mm cannon. Between 1962 and 1964 he developed various drawing machines from Meccano pieces, eventually producing a prototype Spirograph. Patented in 16 countries, it went on sale in Schofield's Department store in Leeds in 1965. In 1970, he sold his company under the name of Denys Fisher Toys. The company went on to produce other toys and board games, before being bought by Hasbro. Through the 80s he continued to work with Hasbro in developing and refining Spirograph.

Denys Fisher (born May 11 1918, Leeds, England, died September 17, 2002, Furness, England) was a toy maker and publisher of board games in the United Kingdom. He left Leeds University to join the family firm, Kingfisher (Lubrication) Ltd. In 1960 he left the firm to set up his own company, Denys Fisher Engineering, in Leeds. In 1961 the company won a contract with NATO to supply springs and precision component for its 20mm cannon. Between 1962 and 1964 he developed various drawing machines from Meccano pieces, eventually producing a prototype Spirograph. Patented in 16 countries, it went on sale in Schofield's Department store in Leeds in 1965. In 1970, he sold his company under the name of Denys Fisher Toys. The company went on to produce other toys and board games, before being bought by Hasbro. Through the 80s he continued to work with Hasbro in developing and refining Spirograph.