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Andre Cassagnes
Andre Cassagnes
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Andre Cassagnes Obituary
Cassagnes died on Jan. 16 in a Paris suburb, said the Ohio Art Co., based in Bryan in northwest Ohio. The cause wasn't disclosed Saturday.
"Etch A Sketch has brought much success to the Ohio Art Company, and we will be eternally grateful to Andre for that. His invention brought joy to so many over such a long period of time," said Larry Killgallon, president of Ohio Art.
Then an electrical technician, Cassagnes came upon the Etch A Sketch idea in the late 1950s when he peeled a translucent decal from a light switch plate and found pencil mark images transferred to the opposite face, the Toy Industry Association said.
Ohio Art saw his idea at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in 1959. The toy, with its gray screen, red frame and two white knobs that are twisted back and forth to create drawings, was launched in 1960 and became the top seller that holiday season. More than 100 million have been sold worldwide since.
Though passed over in popularity for video games and gadgets, the toy has a steady market, the company has said. It got a big jump in sales after Etch A Sketch was featured in the first two "Toy Story" movies, and Ohio Art capitalized on a much-publicized gaffe by a Mitt Romney aide during last year's presidential election, who was asked about his candidate's views during the primary season versus the general election.
He likened the campaign to an Etch A Sketch: "You can kind of shake it up and we start all over again."
Democrats and Republicans alike seized on the remark as evidence that Romney was willing to change his positions for political gain. And Ohio Art seized on the publicity, creating a politically themed ad campaign and manufacturing blue versions of the famously red toy.
Etch A Sketches were made in Ohio until 2000, when the company moved production to China because of increasing costs.
Copyright © 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
52 Entries
`M `H.
April 23, 2014
"For this is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome"...1 John 5:3
Because of Andre's observation, millions have been given the joyful power to sketch out their own observations of God's wonderful creations. You will be remembered Andre in a very joyful way. My condolence to his family.
February 21, 2013
As the bible says at Luke 43:23 we will see Andre in paradise
neva mcquown-peagler
February 11, 2013
Your creative genius filled my childhood with wonder. Thank you Mr. Cassagnes.
How you can show support
k green
February 11, 2013
Omg....who knew. The charities always gave us an etch a sketch for xmas. The greatest toy ever! The best memories of xmas.
dawn cordero reyes
February 10, 2013
Rest in peace. You made the greatest toy ever. My condolances to the family.
dawn cordero reyes
February 10, 2013
Rest in peace. You made the greatest toy ever. My condolances to the family.
Lawrence Dickerman
February 10, 2013
WOW, what a great toy! Mr. Cassagnes gave a lot of bored kids a creative time filler. Thanks! God's comfort to the family.
Cookie
February 9, 2013
Thanks for all the years of Joy you brought into my life with the etch a sketch. Although I'm almost 56 yrs old, I still have my etch a sketch. In working order also. I'm quite sure you brought lots of joy to many more...RIP...
February 8, 2013
Thanks for your great and exciting adventure!
Diane Richardson
February 8, 2013
I remember your creation well! You brought simple entertainment at a reasonable cost. Parents appreciated this and we have great memories. So I remember his invention. Smart man! Thanks for all of this!!
Tracey
February 7, 2013
The world was and is a better place for many people because of this toy that this man made.
Malone Family
February 7, 2013
May our Creator comfort you during this time of sorrow. When a person dies, many are strengthen through the Scriptures by learning their love one is not suffering. (Genesis 2:7; 3:19)
February 7, 2013
What a wonderful invention that children to adults love down to this day. May the God of all comfort provide the Cassagnes Family the strength to cope their loss.
LaQuita Brown
February 7, 2013
It is AMAZING how long things stick around. I have played with this and my two kids also. THANK U ;)
Bill King
February 6, 2013
Thank you for all the wonderful times with the Etcha-Sketch. It made us use our minds to make things. May you rest in peace.
m s
February 6, 2013
may you rest in pease! And thank you so very much for all my years and my childrens years of your fantastic toy!! sincerely Michelle
Jackie
February 5, 2013
Thanks for all the precious playtime with the beloved Etch a Sketch. You have certainly left a legacy that will live on forever. Condolences to the family. Take comfort in knowing what an impact he had on the entire world.
Donna Benichasa
February 4, 2013
To Family my cousins, friends& brother spend many enjoyable hours playing with etch-a-sketch. Thank you for the memories. Donna&Tom Benichasa
Rina
February 4, 2013
Thank you for the good times! Pray his family can have much needed comfort from God.
February 4, 2013
To the family of Mr. Cassagness,
Our condolences. -John 5:25,28,29.
Anthony Lennear
February 4, 2013
Your invention made kids and grownups very happy. RIP and warm thoughts with your family and friends
Delynn Dell
February 4, 2013
I never met you. I send out my condolences to your entire family. I want to thank you, for, in my opinion, creating the best TOY that's ever been created. Ever. In my times of lonliness, pain, and despair I always could depend on ONE thing. One. My Etcha-Sketch.
Thank you for making my world a brighter place.
KEN&MARY O'DANIEL
February 4, 2013
WE ARE SENDING OUR LOVE,[PRAYERS,&CONDOLENCES TO THE CASSAGNES FAMILY,FRIENDS,&ALL WHO KNEW HIM&ETCH A SKETCH.
February 4, 2013
SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS,MAY YOUR FAMILY BE COMFORTED BY GOD ALMIGHTY ABOVE...~~~~~}
tonie spence
February 4, 2013
the etch a sketch was my car pastime as a kid riding in the car thank you.
February 4, 2013
My heart goes out to you all at this time of deep sorrow. May the peace of God be with you.
Tiffani
February 4, 2013
Sorry to hear of your loss. May you find comfort from our Heavenly Father. 1 Cor. 1:3
Patti R
February 4, 2013
My thoughts & prayers go out to the family of Andre.
I spent many hours "creating" with my etcher sketch !
Pam
February 4, 2013
I'm so sorry for the loss of Andre. We couldn't afford many toys back in the 60s but somehow we did have an Etch A Sketch and absolutely loved it. I still remember it with a great big smile. Thanks Andre for giving us such pleasure. I pray that your loving, special memories along with the promise that soon "death will be no more" help to ease the pain felt by others and bring comfort and peace with the passing of time. My sympathies.
Beth & Bruce Collier
February 4, 2013
Rest in Peace you made the world a happier place making the etch a scetch for all ages.
Lisa Stone
February 3, 2013
I still have my Etch A Sketch somewhere. I loved playing with it. My thoughts and prayer goes out to the family and friends of Mr. Cassagnes.
michelle plakas-kaiser
February 3, 2013
rip
February 3, 2013
Thank you for the much loved toy.
Lenexa KS
Nila Ridings
February 3, 2013
My sincere sympathy to Andre Cassagnes' family.
My heart holds a special place for the Etch A Sketch. When the toy first arrived on the market I was a little girl. My eyes locked on that toy and I wanted it so badly. My dad believed a child appreciated things they earned. He offered to "meet me half way" on the purchase price. I did every possible thing a kid could do to earn my half. The coins were jingling in my hand when Dad came home from work and I proudly announced my accomplishment. He told Mom to hold up on dinner while we ran to buy my Etch A Sketch. I still remember the feeling of making that purchase. Today...over a half century later that Etch A Sketch is still in my family!
A few years ago a friend gave me one on a keychain after hearing how much I loved the Etch A Sketch.
Rest in peace, Andre and thank you so much for the amazing experience of the Etch A Sketch!
jerry leckenby
February 3, 2013
I loved etch a scetch. This man was a genious keeping kids entertained.
February 3, 2013
So many kids and people enjoyed using this item he created. Condolences to all.
m.e. thomas
February 3, 2013
a very dramatic piece of art or tool for people of all ages... thank you. m.e.thomas
Karen Jablonski
February 3, 2013
Rest in Peace
M Scott
February 3, 2013
This was one of the great invention for kids of all ages Mr. Cassagnes will be miss, May You Find Comfort During This Time of Sorrow. Psalm 68:20
Les Breese
February 3, 2013
What a wonderful device the Etch-a-Sketch is...a pre-electronics marvel that promotes creativity, fun, and relaxation...so much more than a toy. I've had mine for over 50 years, and it never fails. My thanks to Mr. Cassagnes for this amazing little creation.
Jane Dowling
February 3, 2013
Thank you for the gift you have left with us! God bless you and yours.
Scott Chamberland
February 3, 2013
Rest in Peace
Y.T.
February 3, 2013
R.I.P. ANDRE...
February 3, 2013
Loved mine!
Gwen Jackson
February 3, 2013
I am praying for this family
darlene v.
February 2, 2013
Sir you made a childhood memory. Merci beaucoup.
Ivy
February 2, 2013
God Bless You,Sweet Soul.
February 2, 2013
My deepest sympathy to the Cassagnes family. May the Almighty God comfort you in your time of grief. Psalms 55:22.
Jem. Florida
February 2, 2013
With deepest sympathy to the Cassagnes family during your time of grief...God is for you a refuge and strength, A help that is there to be found during difficult times...May God provide you with peace and comfort to endure the days ahead.
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