Reyn Guyer

Lore & Background

Reyn Guyer invented Twister in 1967 for Milton Bradley and the NERF ball in 1969 for Parker Brothers. In 1985, he founded a music publishing company called Wrensong/Reynsong Music of Nashville. He was inducted into the Hasbro toy and game Inventors' Hall of Fame in 1986.

Having struggled with dyslexia himself, Guyer cofounded Winsor Learning in 1991 to help children who struggle to read. The Sonday System and Let's Play Learn are remediation methods used in hundreds of school systems across the country.

His current projects include My Friend Wren, a collection of children's stories and songs that he narrates and sings; the Curly Lasagna project with Jeff Harrington; a dice game called Rally Roll invented in 2014; creating sculptures and artwork; and a new lawn game called King's Court.

Reader's Guide

Reyn Guyer's significance lies in his creation of two iconic toys that became cultural touchstones: Twister, a game that popularized physical interaction in a party setting, and the NERF ball, which revolutionized indoor play with its soft, safe foam design. Both inventions were developed for major toy companies and remain widely recognized decades later. Beyond toys, Guyer's philanthropic work through Winsor Learning addresses dyslexia, a condition he personally experienced, by providing reading remediation programs used in hundreds of schools. His later ventures into music publishing and children's media reflect a continued commitment to creative and educational projects. Guyer's legacy is that of a versatile inventor whose work spans entertainment, education, and the arts.