A fascinating story about Shigeru Miyamoto, the legendary Nintendo designer, has resurfaced, shedding light on a little-known chapter in the early days of his career.
Today, Miyamoto is synonymous with Nintendo, but in the 1970s, he was just a recent industrial design graduate with dreams of designing household appliances or children’s toys.
At the time, Nintendo was primarily known for producing toys and traditional games, not yet a major player in the video game industry. In a 2000 interview with the Japanese book Game Maestro, Miyamoto revealed, “Nintendo didn’t have plans to hire designers. It was my father’s acquaintance who recommended me to then-president Hiroshi Yamauchi, which led to my interview.”
He recalled that Nintendo’s diverse product range, which included baby strollers and batting machines, made the company seem intriguing to him.
For the interview, Miyamoto brought a portfolio of his student projects, including a coat hanger designed for kindergarten children. The hanger featured animal faces and handles, making it easier for small children to use.
He also showcased a seesaw that doubled as a swing. Miyamoto remembered Yamauchi as being very considerate during the interview, clearly stating, “We’re not hiring you because of the recommendation, but because we want you to work for us.”
In a surprising twist, Miyamoto discovered after joining Nintendo that the company had already filed a design patent for his coat hanger.
Reflecting on this, Miyamoto joked, “I got the patent without spending any money, so it wasn’t a bad deal. I thought this company is really shrewd!”
While it’s hard to imagine anyone today being so optimistic about their employer patenting their design, Miyamoto viewed Nintendo as a generous patron that gave him creative freedom.
Hiroshi Yamauchi, known for his strict management style, was a formidable figure at Nintendo.
Henk Rogers, co-founder of The Tetris Company, once revealed that Nintendo employees were “terrified” of Yamauchi, and anyone who disagreed with him in meetings risked immediate dismissal.
Had Miyamoto clashed with Yamauchi over the patent issue, the world might never have seen iconic games like Super Mario and Donkey Kong.
This anecdote not only highlights Miyamoto’s early ingenuity but also underscores the unique relationship between the designer and Nintendo, a partnership that would go on to shape the gaming industry as we know it.
