by Young Inventor Challenge | 24 Jul 2025
Biographies and Interviews

July 25, 2025 - YIC Spotlight #4 YIC in our 20 Week Countdown to POP Week and the YIC!
Name: Lily Brown
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
YIC: 2018 Most Marketable Concept Winner
Invention(s): Betcha’ Can’t!
Where is your invention now?
Betcha’ Can’t is sold on Amazon and you can find it in other retail stores.
Have you invented any other toys/games since the YIC?
Not yet! But that’s not to say none are in the works!
Are you planning to work or study in a related field (STEM, design, entrepreneurship, toy/game industry, etc.)?
Yes! I’m planning on design and entrepreneurship currently! You can hear more about my YIC journey from the 2024 Young Inventor Award Ceremony during the Chicago Toy & Game Fair:
(Note from Mary: It is the 20th Anniversary of the Young Inventor Challenge! We have BIG plans and would love to include you - be a sponsor, a judge or a volunteer. We appreciate all the help we can get to support the next generation of toy people! Contact Ahren Hoffman ahren@peopleofplay.com today.)
In Memory of Michael Kohner — A Toy Industry Legend and a True Gentleman of Play
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New tabletop trading platform
Jonathan Berkowitz, CEO of PlayMonster, Talks Hacky Sacks, Gen Z Trends, and the Value of Simplicity
The Association for Games and Puzzles International Announce Speakers and Outstanding Achievement Honoree
The Bedtime Battle and Why SleepToy is Reimagining Evening Routines
Randy Klimpert Shares his Ukulele Collection
Steve Casino Peanut Art
Everyone's Talking about POP!
Princess Etch - a Multi-Talented Etch A Sketch Artist
Joseph Herscher of Joseph' s Machines.
Brent Bushnell talks Two Bit Circus, VR, & STEAM (Part 1)
Tim Walsh Celebrates the 30th Anniversary of Blurt!
Connie Vogelmann designed Apiary & Wyrmspan!
Bob Fuhrer... Is THE Crocodile Dentist!
Tom Dusenberry... Bought Atari, Wizards of the Coast, and Avalon Hill!
POPDuo: Richard Dickson, Mattel’s President & COO, and Kedar Narayan, Young Inventor Challenge AMB
POPDuo: Will Shortz and Josh Wardle
POP Duo: Elan Lee, Co-Founder, Exploding Kittens.and Jeff Probst, Host and Exec Producer, Survivor
POP Duo: David Fuhrer, MNG Director, Blue Sq Innovations & Shawn Green, past Dodgers & Mets MLB Star
POP Duo: Bob Fuhrer, Founder, Nextoy and Tom Fazio, Golf Course Designer