The Landlord’s Game: A Radical Idea

The origins of Monopoly can be traced back to 1903, when a progressive woman named Elizabeth Magie created a game called The Landlord’s Game. She was inspired by the economic theories of Henry George, who advocated for a single tax on land to prevent the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few. Magie wanted to use her game as an educational tool to show the harmful effects of land monopolies and the benefits of a more equitable system.She patented her game in 1904 and self-published it in 1906. She also created two sets of rules: one that followed George’s principles and rewarded players for creating wealth, and another that mimicked the existing system and encouraged players to bankrupt their opponents. The game featured a square board with properties, railroads, utilities, a jail, and a “Go to Jail” space. Players moved around the board with dice, bought and sold properties, paid rent, and collected money when they passed “Go”.

The Landlord’s Game was not a commercial success, but it gained popularity among some groups of people who shared Magie’s views or modified the game to suit their own interests. For example, some Quakers used the game to teach their children about social justice, while some college students used the game to simulate real estate markets. The game also spread to different parts of the country, where it acquired different names and variations.

Monopoly: A Stolen Invention

One of the places where The Landlord’s Game reached was Atlantic City, New Jersey, where a group of friends played it regularly in the 1920s and 1930s. They customized the game by changing the names of the properties to reflect the local landmarks, such as Boardwalk, Park Place, and Ventnor Avenue. They also added some new features, such as the “Free Parking” space, the “Chance” and “Community Chest” cards, and the iconic tokens, such as the thimble, the shoe, and the top hat.

One of the members of this group was Charles Todd, who introduced the game to his friend Charles Darrow in 1932. Darrow was an unemployed salesman who was looking for a way to make money during the Great Depression. He was fascinated by the game and asked Todd for a written copy of the rules. Todd obliged, but was surprised when he learned that Darrow had made his own version of the game and sold it to a department store in Philadelphia. Darrow claimed that he had invented the game himself, and even applied for a patent in 1935.

Darrow’s version of the game, which he called Monopoly, caught the attention of Parker Brothers, a major game company. Parker Brothers initially rejected the game, citing several flaws and similarities to The Landlord’s Game, which they had declined to publish in 1909. However, they changed their mind when they realized that Monopoly was already a hit among the public, and bought the rights from Darrow for a lump sum and royalties. They also bought out Magie’s patent for The Landlord’s Game for a small amount, and tried to suppress any evidence of the game’s true history.

Monopoly became a phenomenal success, selling millions of copies worldwide and making Darrow a millionaire. Parker Brothers promoted the game as a celebration of the American dream, and Darrow as a rags-to-riches hero. They also registered the game’s name and design elements as trademarks, and aggressively defended them against any competitors or imitators. For decades, the official story of Monopoly was that it was the sole creation of Charles Darrow, and that he had invented it in his basement.

Anti-Monopoly: A Legal Challenge

The truth about Monopoly’s history was not widely known until the 1970s, when a professor named Ralph Anspach created a game called Anti-Monopoly, which was designed to expose the evils of monopolies and promote competition. Anspach was sued by Parker Brothers for trademark infringement, and he decided to fight back by uncovering the origins of Monopoly and proving that it was in the public domain. He interviewed many of the original players of The Landlord’s Game and Monopoly, and collected evidence from patents, newspapers, magazines, and personal testimonies. He also discovered that Parker Brothers had lied about Darrow’s role and had tried to buy or destroy any copies of The Landlord’s Game and other related games.

Anspach’s case went to trial in 1976, and lasted for 10 years, involving several appeals and reaching the Supreme Court. In 1985, he finally won the case, and was allowed to continue selling his game. The court ruled that Monopoly was a generic term, and that Parker Brothers had acted in bad faith by claiming exclusive rights to it. The court also acknowledged that Monopoly was based on The Landlord’s Game, and that Darrow was not the original inventor.

Anspach’s victory was a landmark for the board game industry, as it opened the door for more innovation and diversity. It also sparked a renewed interest in the history of Monopoly, and led to the recognition of Elizabeth Magie and other contributors. Several books, articles, documentaries, and exhibitions have been made to tell the story of Monopoly and its social and cultural impact.

The Current and Future of Monopoly

Monopoly Today: A Global Phenomenon

Hasbro acquired Parker Bros. and thus Monopoly in 1991. Monopoly is one of the most popular and recognizable board games in the world, with more than 275 million copies sold in over 100 countries and in more than 40 languages. It has also spawned hundreds of different editions, featuring various themes, locations, characters, and rules. Some of the most notable editions include:

• Monopoly Here and Now, which updates the game with modern properties, prices, and currencies
• Monopoly City, which adds new elements such as skyscrapers, stadiums, and power plants
• Monopoly Deal, which is a card game version of Monopoly
• Monopoly Empire, which replaces the properties with famous brands and companies
• Monopoly Gamer, which incorporates characters and items from the Super Mario video game series
• Monopoly Voice Banking, which uses a voice-controlled device to manage the game¹

Monopoly has also expanded into other media and products, such as video games, movies, TV shows, books, comics, toys, clothing, and even a musical. Some of the most notable examples include:

• Monopoly Tycoon, which is a computer game that simulates a business empire based on Monopoly
• Monopoly Millionaires’ Club, which is a lottery game and a TV game show based on Monopoly
• Monopoly: The Musical, which is a Broadway musical that tells the story of a family playing Monopoly
• Monopoly Live, which is a live casino game that combines Monopoly with a wheel of fortune
• Monopoly Madness, which is a video game that reinvents Monopoly as a fast-paced race across a chaotic city

Monopoly has also inspired many spin-offs and variations, some of which are official and some of which are unofficial. Some of the most notable examples include:

• Anti-Monopoly, which is a game that opposes the concept of Monopoly and promotes competition
• Ghettopoly, which is a controversial game that parodies Monopoly with stereotypes of urban life
• Gay Monopoly, which is a rare game that celebrates gay culture and history
• Mineopoly, which is a Minecraft map that recreates Monopoly in the virtual world
• Monopoly: Socialism, which is a game that mocks socialism and its failures
• Star Wars Monopoly which is inspiraded by Star Wars saga

Monopoly Tomorrow: A Timeless Classic

Monopoly is a game that has endured for more than a century, and will likely continue to do so for many more. It is a game that appeals to people of all ages, backgrounds, and interests, and that can be played in many different ways. It is a game that reflects the changing times, but also preserves the core values of fun, strategy, and competition. It is a game that has become a part of our culture, our history, and our identity.

Monopoly is more than just a game. It is a phenomenon, a legacy, and a legend. It is Monopoly.