Inventor Spotlight: George Lucas and the Kenner Star Wars Figures
By: Francesco Ungaro
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…
. . . a young George Lucas watched dejectedly as his Star Wars screenplay got rejected by virtually every movie studio he brought it to. [1].
Eventually, 20th Century Fox greenlit the project and offered Lucas $500,000 (about $1.5 million today) as his salary. [2]. However, Lucas declined the offer, and instead proposed a much reduced $150,000 salary on the condition that he retain the exclusive rights to (1) any potential sequel and (2) merchandising. [3]. This offer was a no-brainer for 20th Century Fox; sequels were uncommon at the time, and the idea of a film franchise or film universe was essentially unheard of. [4]. And what Lucas specifically had in mind for merchandising was equally as unheard of.
Lucas wanted to make toys that would build and strengthen the relationship between audiences and the Star Wars film (and any subsequent films). [5]. In the 1970s, this was a well-known industry tactic for TV shows, both Bewitched and The Lone Ranger had their own successful toy lines. [6]. However, this practice hadn’t expanded to films for several reasons [7]. The first is that TV shows greatly benefited from commercial breaks, audiences were inundated with ads of the toys of the show they just watched. [8]. Second, during the 1970s, movies were only available for viewing on the silver screen; once they left the screen, they weren’t seen again. [9]. Movies, unlike TV shows, just did not have the same opportunity to build a relationship with audiences over time. Because of that, it didn’t make a lot of sense to make toys of a film that people would forget about a few short weeks after seeing it.
Lucas was about to change all of that.
The Kenner Star Wars Action Figures
The first Star Wars toys released were 3 ¾ inch figures of various Star Wars characters. [10]. The size of the figures was unusual; they were much smaller than the action figures popular for the time period (Barbie and Ken were 11 ½ and 12 inches, respectively, and G.I. Joe was 12 inches). [11].
However, there was a strategic reason behind making the toys so mini. The designers at Kenner, the toy company who the created the initial line of Star Wars toys, wanted to be able to make everything from the Star Wars universe into a toy, even something as large the Death Star. [12]. But if the main characters were 12 inches in size, then any play sets or vehicles would be far too big and expensive; it just wouldn’t be practical to make a X-wing for a Ken-sized doll. [13].
And so, the Kenner design team turned to Bernie Loomis, the head honcho at Kenner, to make a decision on what size to make the figures. [14]. The lore is that during a team meeting, Bernie Loomis lifted his arm, made a fist, then extended his index finger and his thumb and said that Luke Skywalker would be that big. [15]. A designer took out a ruler and measured the distance from Loomis’ index finger and his thumb: 3 ¾ inches. [16].
However, there was a hitch in the plans. Kenner was a small toy manufacturer based in Cincinnati, and Kenner and Lucasfilm did not enter into their contract until just a month before Star Wars (initially titled Star Wars, later retitled Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope) opening day, March 25, 1977. [17].
The designers at Kenner expected that they would not be able to get the products out until at least a few months after the film premiered (and in time for Christmas). [18]. However, everyone at Kenner, and even George Lucas himself, was completely caught off guard at how popular the film would be; A New Hope was not only the highest grossing film of 1977, but was the highest grossing film of all time (until the release of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in 1982). [19]. A New Hope was so popular that Kenner literally was unable to fulfill their orders by Christmas of 1977, as a result, Kenner sold the now-infamous certificates to consumers, promising the buyer the first four figures (Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, and R2-D2) the following year. [20].
"Toys - Star Wars Toys for Christmas - St. Petersburg Independant - 1977-11-24" by mMathab is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
While the timing was unfortunate, in the end it didn’t matter. When the Kenner Star Wars figures hit the shelves in early 1978 they were a massive hit. [21]. The sales from the toys generated hundreds of millions of dollars, which financed the next two Star Wars films! [22].
Background: Design Patents
George Lucas was able to secure his exclusive rights to merchandising, in part, through the use of design patents. Design patents are one of three major types of patents (the other two being utility patents and plant patents) and are issued to “[w]hoever invents any new, original and ornamental design for an article of manufacture” under the Patent Act (emphasis added). [23].
What’s an “article of manufacture”? The Supreme Court has broadly said that it includes any product that has been produced from raw materials, either by manual labor or by machine, which has given the material new qualities, properties, forms, or a combination of the foregoing. [24].
What’s a design? A design may be a surface ornamentation, a surface configuration, or both. [25]. The design must be, however, “an aesthetically pleasing appearance that is not dictated by function alone.” [26]. In other words, the design must be a surface decoration, surface arrangement, or both, that is visually appealing but was not chosen solely for a functional purpose.
The Kenner Star Wars figures can be protected by design patents because they are articles of manufacture: they were produced from raw material that was worked, by machine, to give the material a new quality and form. The Kenner Star Wars figures also have surface designs and arrangements that are both aesthetically pleasing and were not chosen for simply a functional purpose.
The owner of a design patent has the exclusive rights to make, use, sell, offer to sell, and import their design in the United States. [27]. A product infringes a design patent when the article having the patented design and the product are so similar, that the resemblance would deceive a consumer into buying the product instead of the article having the patented design. [28].
So, by obtaining design patents for the Kenner Star Wars toy figures, Lucas was able to retain exclusive rights to make, sell, and import the figures, and also prevent others from making deceptively similar toys.
"Star Wars: Droids Special Action Figure Set - Target Exclusive Set (Front)" by kndynt2099 is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.
The Star Wars Design Patents
George Lucas is a co-inventor for fifteen (15!) different design patents for Kenner Star Wars toys. Let’s take a look at them!
U.S. Des. Patent No. 265,330: FX-7
U.S. Des. Patent No. 265,330
U.S. Des. Patent No. 265,330, for “Toy Figure,” is a robot with multiple, collapsable arms, and a retractable claw. [29]. The patent issued July 6, 1982, and also specified that this droid was published in the 1978 Sears Xmas Book as “Tobor Space Robot” (although Tobor Space Robot is not a known character in the Star Wars universe). [30].
FX-7 is a medical droid that appears momentarily in The Empire Strikes Back along with another medical droid, 2-1B, in the scene where Luke is being treated for hypothermia. [31]. However, the official Star Wars data catalog does not list FX-7 as a character in the Star Wars Universe (perhaps considering it more of a “machine” than a droid character). [32]. FX-7 appears to be an early iteration of the FX-6 Medical Droid, which was introduced several years later in the prequel The Revenge of the Sith. [33].
Along with Lucas, Ralph McQuarrie, a designer who helped create many other famous characters including Darth Vader, Chewbacca, R2-D2 and C-3PO, and Joe Johnston, American film maker and director who served as the visual effects art director on Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back, are also listed as inventors for this “Toy Figure”. [34].
U.S. Des. Patent No. 265,754: Yoda
U.S. Des. Patent No. 265,754
Filed on April 18, 1980, and issued on August 10, 1982, this Toy Figure is the beloved character Yoda. [35]. One of the most popular characters in the Star Wars universe, Yoda is a Jedi Master who trained a young Luke Skywalker the ways of the force. [36].
In addition to George Lucas, three others were named as inventors: Ralph McQuarrie, Joe Johnston, and Stuart Freeborn, a makeup artist who created the look for Yoda in The Empire Strikes Back. [37].
"Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith #3 - Yoda (Firing Cannon!) (Front)" by kndynt2099 is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.
U.S. Des. Patent No. 267,205: T-47 Airspeeder
U.S. Des. Patent No. 267,205
This design patent, for “Toy Space Vehicle,” issued November 23, 1982, and was filed on April 18, 1980. [38]. This design patent is for the toy figure of the T-47 airspeeder, or snowspeeder, featured in The Empire Strikes Back as the fighter jet for the rebels on the planet Hoth. [39].
Along with George Lucas, Ralph McQuarrie and Joe Johnston are listed as inventors. [40].
U.S. Des. Patent No. 265,108: Tauntaun
U.S. Des. Patent No. 265,108
Design Patent No. 265,108, for “Toy Figure,” is the Tauntaun! [41]. While only briefly on screen in The Empire Strikes Back, the Tauntaun is well-remembered (scarred into memory?) as being Luke Skywalker’s meaty sleeping bag which Han Solo used to prevent hypothermia from setting in. [42].
The three inventors for the Tauntaun toy figure are George Lucas, Ralph McQuarrie, and Phil Tippett, the visual effects extraordinaire who worked on all of the films in the original trilogy, responsible for iconic special effects including the holographic chess scene in A New Hope. [43].
As shown below, the one version of the Kenner Tauntaun toy had an “open belly” feature, giving small children around the galaxy a delightful opportunity to make a Luke Skywalker-Tauntaun taco.
"Set Tauntaun, Han Solo y Luke Skywalker" by @Ivanchild is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.
U.S. Des. Patent No. 265,109: Gamorrean
U.S. Des. Patent No. 265,109
The next “Toy Figure” design patent, issued on June 22, 1982, appears (at least to the author) to be a Gamorrean . . . apron on and ready to make Sunday breakfast? [44].
Gamorreans are pig-looking creatures who first appeared in Return of the Jedi as brutes for Jabba the Hutt at Jabba’s Palace. [45]. Although the Gamorreans in Jedi were not wearing an apron and flip flops like the one pictured here.
The three inventors for this design patent are George Lucas, Ralph McQuarrie, and Stuart Freeborn. [46].
U.S. Des. Patent No. 265,331: IG-88
U.S. Des. Patent No. 265,331
The next “Toy Figure” design patent, which issued on July 6, 1982, like the aforementioned design patents was filed on April 18, 1980. [47]. George Lucas and Ralph McQuarrie are the joint inventors for this design. [48].
This toy was designed after the droid IG-88 which debuted in The Empire Strikes Back; IG-88 was one of many bounty hunters who answered the Empire’s call to capture the Millenium Falcon. [49].
The IG-88 is very similar to another droid in the Star Wars universe, IG-11 (so similar in fact, the Author originally thought they were the same droid). IG-11 starred in the first season of the Mandalorian, where it was programmed to kill Grogu (more affectionately known as “Baby Yoda”), but was later reprogrammed to be a kinder, gentler robot. [50].
"Star Wars 'Vintage Collection'" by simononly is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.
U.S. Des. Patent No. 268,192: Rebel Transport
U.S. Des. Patent No. 268,192
Back to space vehicles!
U.S. Des. Patent No. 268,192 is for “Toy Space Vehicle,” and was patented on March 8, 1983 and invented by George Lucas and Joe Johnston. [51].
This particular space vehicle is the Rebel Transport, first appearing in The Empire Strikes Back, where it carried the fleeing rebel fleet from Hoth. [52]. The Rebel transport was also prominently featured in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, its predecessor. [53].
U.S. Des. Patent No. 265,332: Snowtrooper
U.S. Des. Patent No. 265,332
This “Toy Figure” design patent is for a Stormtrooper, but not just any run-of-the-mill Stormtrooper, but a Snowtrooper! [54].
Snowtroopers are specially trained for frigid missions, and their uniforms include special upgrades for keeping warm in such conditions, including breath heaters, protective hoods, and survival backpacks. [55]. Snowtroopers were first shown in The Empire Strikes Back when the Empire stormed the rebel base on the icy plant Hoth. [56].
The Snowtrooper toy design was invented by George Lucas, Ralph McQuarrie, and Joe Johnston, and issued on July 6, 1982. [57].
U.S. Des. Patent No. 265,668: Storm IV Twin-Pod Cloud Car
U.S. Des. Patent No. 265,668
Filed on April 25, 1980, and patented on August 3, 1982, this “Toy Space Vehicle” was invented by George Lucas and Joe Johnston. [58].
U.S. Des. Patent No. 265,668 is the Storm IV twin-pod cloud car, which has a pod for the pilot and one for the gunner. [59]. Twin-pod cloud cars are often seen policing the skies of Cloud city, and made their first on-screen appearance in The Empire Strikes back. [60].
"Star Wars - Bespin Cloud Car (FRONT)" by kndynt2099 is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.
U.S. Des. Patent No. 268,942: Imperial Probe Droid
U.S. Des. Patent No. 268,942
Watch out Rebels!
This design patent is for the Imperial probe droid created and used by the Empire. [61]. These droids are information-gatherers; upon arrival at their target location, they gather information and, when their mission is complete, self-destruct. [62].
Patented on May 10, 1983, the Imperial probe droid was invented by George Lucas and Ralph McQuarrie. [63].
U.S. Des. Patent No. 268,941: Medical Droid
U.S. Des. Patent No. 268,941
This “Toy Figure” was patented on May 10, 1983. [64]. This figure is 2-1B, a medical droid that provided medical assistance to Luke Skywalker in The Empire Strikes Back. [65]. 2-1B aided Luke when he was being treated for hypothermia at the beginning of the film, and at the end of the film, helped Luke with his new mechanical hand. [66].
George Lucas and Ralph McQuarrie are listed as inventors for U.S. Des. Patent No. 268,941. [67].
"2-1b medical droid" by mhuang is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.
U.S. Des. Patent No. 268,200: TIE/sa Bomber
U.S. Des. Patent No. 268,200
Patented on March 8, 1983, and invented by George Lucas and Joe Johnston, U.S. Des. Patent No. 268,200 is for “Toy space vehicle.” [68]. This design is for the TIE/sa bomber, a preferred spacecraft for the Empire. [69]. Like the twin-pod cloud car, the TIE/sa bomber has central compartments, one for the pilot and one for the gunman. [70].
Fun fact, while the on-screen debut of the TIE/sa bomber was in The Empire Strikes Back, its first printed appearance was two years earlier in the 12th issue (“Doomworld!”) of the Star Wars Comics. [71].
U.S. Des. Patent No. 271,780: Nebulon-B Frigate
U.S. Des. Patent No. 271,780
This “Toy space vehicle,” patented on December 13, 1983, is the Nebulon-B Frigate and was invented by George Lucas and Joe Johnston. [72].
The Nebulon-B Frigate is an enormous space cruiser used by the rebel alliance and appeared on-screen in both The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. [73]. In Return of the Jedi, three Nebulon-B Frigates were part of the rebel armada that took down the Death Star docked near Endor. [73].
U.S. Des. Patent No. 266,685: Bossk
U.S. Des. Patent No. 266,685
Patented on October 26, 1982, this “Toy Figure” is the fearsome bounty hunter Bossk! [75].
First appearing in The Empire Strikes Back, Bossk (along with Boba Fett and IG-88) answered Darth Vadar’s call to hunt down the Millenium Falcon. [76]. However, Bossk had a much meatier role in the animated show the Clone Wars, where worked alongside fellow bounty hunters Aurra Sing, Castas and Boba Fett. [77].
The inventors credited for this “Toy Figure” are George Lucas, Ralph McQuarrie, and Stuart Freeborn. [78].
U.S. Des. Patent No. 266,777: AT-AT Walker
U.S. Des. Patent No. 266,777
Last but not least, U.S. Des. Patent No. 266,777 is a “Toy Vehicle” of the AT-AT (All Terrain Armored Transport) Walker. [79].
AT-ATs are enormous four-legged transports used by the Empire in three Star Wars films: The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, and The Force Awakens. [80]. As the name suggests, AT-ATs are used by the Empire for ground attacks in a variety of terrains, from icy planets like Hoth to dense forest environments like those on planet Endor. [81].
The “Toy Vehicle” AT-AT was invented by George Lucas and Joe Johnston and patented on November 2, 1982. [82].
Special thanks to Star Wars-enthusiast Jesse Polen for his contributions to this article.
[1] Samuel R. Murrian. An Empire of Dreams! Inside George Lucas' Astonishing Net Worth and How He Made His Fortune From 'Star Wars' and Beyond. Parade. 01 January 2025. <https://parade.com/1391976/samuelmurrian/george-lucas-net-worth/>.
[2] Id.
[3] Id.
[4] Id.
[5] See Jennifer Levasseur. Star Wars: A Merchandising Empire. Smithsonian. 20 December 2019. <https://www.smithsonianmag.com/blogs/air-space-museum/2019/12/20/star-wars-merchandising-empire/>.
[6] The Toys That Made Us: Star Wars (Netflix broadcast December 22, 2017).
[7] Id.
[8] Id.
[9] Id.
[10] Id.
[11] Id.
[12] Id.
[13] See id.
[14] Id.
[15] Id.
[16] Id.
[17] Murrian, supra note 1; The Toys That Made Us, supra note 6.
[18] The Toys That Made Us, supra note 6.
[19] Id.
[20] Id.
[21] Levasseur, supra note 5.
[22] Id.
[23] 35 U.S. Code § 171
[24] Diamond v. Chakrabarty, 447 U.S. 303, 308, 100 S. Ct. 2204 (1980).
[25] 1 Chisum on Patents § 23.01
[26] Bonito Boats v. Thunder Craft Boats, 489 U.S. 141, 148, 109 S. Ct. 971 (1989)
[27] 35 U.S. Code § 271(a).
[28] Egyptian Goddess, Inc. v. Swisa, Inc., 543 F.3d 665, 670 (Fed. Cir. 2008).
[29] See U.S. Des. Patent No. 265,330
[30] U.S. Des. Patent No. 265,330
[31] “FX-7” Fandom. Accessed June 9, 2025. <https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/FX-7>.
[32] See “Star Wars Databank” Star Wars. Accessed June 9, 2025. <https://www.starwars.com/search?q=FX-7&m=true&f%5Btype%5D=Character,Artifact,Location,Organization,TypeOfThing,encyclopedia_entries>.
[33] See “FX-6 Medical Droid” Star Wars Databank. Accessed June 9, 2025. <https://www.starwars.com/databank/fx-6-medical-droid>.
[34] Star Wars artist Ralph McQuarrie dies aged 82. BBC. 05 March 2012. <https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-17249596>.
[35] See U.S. Des. Patent No. 265,754; Alexandra Hurtado. The 25 Best 'Star Wars' Characters Yet—From Jedis to Mandalorians, Wookiees and Beyond. Parade. 14 March 2025. <https://parade.com/1376509/alexandra-hurtado/star-wars-characters/>.
[36] Hurtado, supra note 35.
[37] U.S. Des. Patent No. 265,754; BBC supra note 34; Jack Malvern. British make up artist Stuart Freeborn, who created Yoda, dies aged 98. The Times. 07 February 2013. <https://www.thetimes.com/comment/register/article/british-make-up-artist-stuart-freeborn-who-created-yoda-dies-aged-98-68m9l27kntf?region=global>.
[38] U.S. Des. Patent No. 267,205.
[39] Mark Newbold. Empire at 40 | The New Vehicles of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. Star Wars. 23 June 2020 <https://www.starwars.com/news/empire-at-40-new-vehicles>.
[40] U.S. Des. Patent No. 267,205.
[41] See U.S. Des. Patent No. 265,108; “Tauntaun” Star Wars Databank. Accessed June 9, 2025. <https://www.starwars.com/databank/tauntaun>.
[42] Star Wars Databank, supra note 41.
[43] U.S. Des. Patent No. 265,108; Jeff Spry. 'Return of the Jedi' at 40: How 'Star Wars' legend Phil Tippett crafted special effects magic (exclusive). Space. 25 May 2023 <https://www.space.com/star-wars-return-of-the-jedi-phil-tippett-interview>.
[44] U.S. Des. Patent No. 265,109; “Gamorreans” Star Wars Databank. Accessed June 9, 2025. <https://www.starwars.com/databank/gamorreans>.
[45] Star Wars Databank, supra note 44.
[46] U.S. Des. Patent No. 265,109
[47] U.S. Des. Patent No. 265,331
[48] U.S. Des. Patent No. 265,331
[49] “IG-88” Star Wars Databank. Accessed June 9, 2025. <https://www.starwars.com/databank/ig-88>.
[50] Star Wars Databank, supra note 49.
[51] U.S. Des. Patent No. 268.192
[52] Newbold, supra note 39.
[53] Id.
[54] “Snowtroopers” Star Wars Databank. Accessed June 9, 2025. <https://www.starwars.com/databank/snowtroopers>.
[55] Id.
[56] Id.
[57] U.S. Des. Patent No. 265,332.
[58] U.S. Des. Patent No. 265,668.
[59] Newbold, supra note 39.
[60] Newbold, supra note 39.
[61] “Imperial Probe Droid” Star Wars Databank. Accessed June 9, 2025. <https://www.starwars.com/databank/imperial-probe-droid>.
[62] Id.
[63] U.S. Des. Patent No. 268,942.
[64] U.S. Des. Patent No. 268,941
[65] Amy Richau. 20 of the Star Wars Galaxy's Greatest Droids. Star Wars. 09 March 2021 <https://www.starwars.com/news/20-star-wars-droids>.
[66] Id.
[67] U.S. Des. Patent No. 268,941
[68] U.S. Des. Patent No. 268, 200
[69] Newbold, supra note 39.
[70] Newbold, supra note 39.
[71] Newbold, supra note 39.
[72] U.S. Des. Patent No. 271,780; “Nebulon-B-Frigate” Star Wars Databank. Accessed June 9, 2025. <https://www.starwars.com/databank/nebulon-b-frigate>.
[73] Id.
[74] Id.
[75] U.S. Des. Patent No. 266,685; “Bossk” Star Wars Databank. Accessed June 9, 2025. <https://www.starwars.com/databank/bossk>.
[76] Star Wars Databank, supra note 75.
[77] Id.
[78] U.S. Des. Patent No. 266,685.
[79] U.S. Des. Patent No. 266,777; “AT-AT Walker” Star Wars Databank. Accessed June 9, 2025. <https://www.starwars.com/databank/at-at-walker>.
[80] U.S. Des. Patent No. 266,777; Star Wars Databank, supra note 79.
[81] U.S. Des. Patent No. 266,777; Star Wars Databank, supra note 79.
[82] U.S. Des. Patent No. 266,777.
