In 1955, inventor Jack Ryan approached Mattel with an idea for a toy transistor radio. His knowledge of engineering and technology left such a positive impression that the Handlers recruited him after Ryan negotiated for a percentage of every toy he invented. Although Barbie dolls were not Ryan’s idea, he developed the 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 1977 and sued the company to recover millions of dollars in toy royalties that Mattel had stopped paying him. Depressed about his dealings with Mattel and his own deteriorating health issues, Jack killed himself with a gunshot at age 64 in 1991.