LOS ANGELES—Marty Tucker, the pioneering founder of Topco Sales, passed away on Saturday, friends and family confirmed.
Tucker founded Topco in 1971, growing the business to encompass everything from manufacturing sex toys to lubricants. He started the company as a small storefront in Los Angeles, close to the Farmers Market. Over the years, as the company grew, the location of the business moved, first to North Hollywood then in the 80s, to their expansive location in Chatsworth, Calif.
Under Tucker's leadership, Topco created iconic brands such as Cyberskin, one of the first TPR materials to hit the market in the late '90s, the expansive Penthouse line, Vulcan and Climax—among many others.
Industry veteran Autumn O’Bryan, the former COO of Topco, shared, “Marty’s energy was unstoppable, his creativity unmatched. He built one of the most successful companies in the industry, driven by his endless curiosity and visionary ideas. For those who didn’t have the privilege of knowing him, Marty wasn’t just a leader; he was a pioneer, a creator, and a true genius whose legacy will forever inspire.”
Rebecca Weinberg, president of XR Brands, added, “Marty was one of the most interesting people I’ve ever known. I’ll miss our talks about the history of the sex toy industry, how he started Topco Sales and all the stories he loved to tell. A true curious creative, who showed me that anything is possible. He will be sorely missed.”
Tucker is credited with creating the first vibrator that had the motor at the top of the shaft instead of at the base. He felt that most women wanted to experience the thrill of a vibrator deep inside and designed the hard plastic toy with a thin, straight shaft and a bulbous tip to accommodate the motor. Two AA batteries powered the toy, which remains a bestseller even today.
Armed with a Master's Degree in Material Science and Engineering from UCLA and a Bachelor's Degree in Metallurgical Engineering, Tucker also had a background in aerospace technology, which he referenced in naming Cyberskin. He sold his company in 2002 and in 2008 launched MYWORLD as an exclusive manufacturer based in China, white-labeling products for many of the adult companies in the US.
