Hans Beck Playmobil. During the World Expo 2000 in Hannover, Beck was among the 100 German personalities who were honored with a statue within the German Pavilion. He died at the age of 79 on 30 January 2009 after a serious illness. Hans Beck Hans Beck (6 May 1929, Greiz – 30 January 2009, Markdorf) was the German inventor of Playmobil toys. He is thus often called "The Father of Playmobil". Born in Greiz, Thuringia, Beck grew up in the town of Zirndorf. He trained as a cabinet maker and made small toy vehicles and figures for his younger siblings. He presented
Pia Bech Mathiesen parallel, she held board positions at the Danish Design Museum, the Danish Design Council, Design School Koldning and the University of Southern Denmark. Beginning in 2014, she chaired Sønderjyllands Symfoniorkester. She died on 20 February 2016, aged 54. Pia Bech Mathiesen Pia Bech Mathiesen (31 January 1962 – 20 February 2016) was a Danish designer and entrepreneur. She headed the Danish Design Council and was CEO of the Universe science amusement park on the island of Als. Born in 1962, Bech Mathiesen studied design at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, graduating in 1987. Thereafter she studied design and