# Blips on a Screen: How Ralph Baer Invented TV Video Gaming and Launched a Worldwide Obsession - Hardcover

by **Kate Hannigan** (Author), **Zachariah Ohora** (Illustrator)

****An engaging picture book biography based on the incredible true story of a Jewish refugee who pioneered home video games and launched a worldwide obsession.**  
**  
Do you ever wonder how video gaming was invented? What came before your PlayStation or Xbox? This is the story of Ralph Baer, a refugee from Nazi Germany, who used his skills--and a lot of ingenuity and persistence--to make life a little more fun.

Television was new when Ralph returned from serving in World War II, but he didn't settle for _watching_ TV. He knew it could be even more fun if you could _play_ with it. He tinkered and tested, got help and rejected, but with perseverance and skill, he made his vision come true! This is the inspiring story of a fearless inventor who made TV video games a reality.

### Author Biography

Kate Hannigan is the author of numerous children's books, including the middle-grade series _The League of Secret Heroes_, as well as the middle-grade novel _The Detective's Assistant_, which won the Golden Kite Award for best middle-grade fiction. Her debut picture book, _A Lady Has the Floor: Belva Lockwood Speaks Out for Women's Rights_, received four starred reviews, and was praised as "excellent" by _Kirkus Reviews_. Her other titles include a graphic novel, _History Comics: The Great Chicago Fire_, as well as the chapter book series Cupcake Cousins. Kate lives with her family in Chicago.

Zachariah OHora is the prolific illustrator of the _New York Times_ bestseller _Wolfie the Bunny_, which received four starred reviews and was praised by the _Chicago Tribune_ as "pitch-perfect." He is also the author-illustrator of _Stop Snoring Bernard!_, which won the 2011 Society of Illustrators Founders Award and was the 2012 State of PA Dept of Ed One book, as well as _Not Fits Nilson!_, which received the PALA Carolyn W. Field Award, and was named the _Huffington Post_ Best Children's Book of the Year, as well as a _Kirkus_ Best Picture Book of the Year and a New York Public Library Book for Reading and Sharing. Zachariah's other titles include _My Cousin Momo!_, _The Teacher's Pet_, _The Not So Quiet Library_, and _Niblet & Ralph_. He lives in Narberth, PA, with his family.

**Number of Pages:** 48

**Dimensions:** 0.5 x 11.4 x 8.9 IN

**Illustrated:** Yes

**Publication Date:** May 03, 2022

## Details

- **Price:** 18.99 USD
- **Vendor:** Books by splitShops
- **Type:** Books
- **Tags:** Books by splitShops, Shopify Collective

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| Default Title | 18.99 USD | In stock |

## Images

- Blips on a Screen: How Ralph Baer Invented TV Video Gaming and Launched a Worldwide Obsession - Hardcover

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> Updated: 2026-07-23