Monopoly, the name game and claim

December 31 1935 — Parker Brothers Inc are granted the US patent for the board game Monopoly. They rejected the game submitted by Charles Darrow as “too complicated, too technical, [and it] took too long to play” on October 19 1934, but bought it on March 18 1935 after hearing about the game’s excellent sales during the Christmas season. However, the story is not that simple. Elizabeth (Lizzie) Magie (pictured), a game designer and writer born in Macomb, Illinois, on May 9 1866, invented “The Landlord’s Game” between 1902 and 1903 to illustrate teachings of the progressive era economist Henry George. It was designed to demonstrate the economic ill effects of land monopolism and the use of land value tax as a remedy for it. She first made her game popular among friends while living in Brentwood, Maryland, and was granted the US patent on January 5 1904 (re-patented in 1924). More hand-made boards followed, progessing to manufacturing and publishing in 1906 after Magie and two other Georgists established the Economic Game Company of New York. Magie approached Parker Brothers to publish this and another game in 1909. The other game was accepted while “Landlord’s” was rejected as too complicated. Her game became popular and was widely played. Other hand-made games emerged (with some tweaks) and Darrow learned the game from friends. He made some additions and by 1934 started distributing it as “Monopoly”, which he claimed he invented in his basement. Parker Brothers bought Magie’s 1924 patent (in 1935), as well as some clones, but continue to credit only Darrow as the inventor.