In 1955, inventor Jack Ryan approached Mattel with an idea for a toy transistor radio. His knowledge of engineering and technology caused such a positive impression that the Handlers recruited him after Ryan negotiated to receive a percentage of every toy he invented, eventually making him a multimillionaire. He worked at Mattel for nineteen years and became the corporate research director in 1956. Although Barbie dolls were not Ryan’s idea, he invented a technology, patented by Mattel in 1961, that allowed her to “twist-’n-turn” and talk. He also designed the technology for over thirty-five Mattel toys, including Chatty Cathy, Hot Wheels cars, the Thunderburp cap gun, and the Tommy Burst detective gun. He left Mattel in 1974 to establish his own company but remained a consultant. He eventually held over 1,000 patents worldwide, with sales of $16 billion by 1988. Ryan's achievements went beyond the toy industry. After receiving his engineering degree in 1948, Ryan relocated to Los Angeles to work in Raytheon's Missile and Radar Division, where he contributed to designing the Hawk missile (surface-to-air) and the Sparrow missile (air-to-air) for the Korean War.