Google's interactive Doodle today celebrates the life and accomplishments of video game pioneer Gerald "Jerry" Lawson on what would have been his 82nd birthday. The Doodle lets you play five retro pixel-art platformers in your browser -- with two even letting you play as Lawson. The Doodles' creators want to inspire young people to follow in his footsteps, and it includes a built-in level editor and creator to nudge them on that path. Lawson was known as the "father of the video game cartridge," which he developed as Director of Engineering and Marketing at Fairchild Semiconductor. In 1976, the company released the Fairchild Channel F home console, with Lawson serving as lead developer.

The Google Doodle on Dec. 1 honors Jerry Lawson on what would have been his 82nd birthday. The engineer and entrepreneur created the technology that paved the way for modern gaming. The Google Doodle on Dec. 1 honors Jerry Lawson on what would have been his 82nd birthday. The engineer and entrepreneur created the technology that paved the way for modern gaming. Anyone who goes online Thursday (and that includes you, if you're reading this) can stop by the Google homepage for a special treat: A set of create-your-own video games inspired by the man who helped make interactive gaming possible.