The Story Behind Monopoly

As one of the most popular games eve, Monopolymissed the first time. In 1935, they purchased the full
has its own legend. Some say that it was invented byrights of production and distribution for a confidential
an engineer from German town, Pennsylvania -sum.
Charles Darrow. The story tells that he designed theA thing that not many of us know is that Monopoly
game by drawing a sketch of the board game on aresembles a lot with another society-game - "The
dirty textile piece, while making plans for a wealthy lifeLandlord's Game", created and owned by Elizabeth J.
and successful business.Maggie, from Virginia, in 1904. She created this society
In 1934, he tried to present his idea to the Parkergame based on her conception that it was necessary
Brothers, but they rejected it by considering that therea single tax, and every person was supposed to pay
were many design mistakes and the game just beingthis tax according to their personal properties and
too complicated and long to play. Now the name,assets. So she created the game as a practical
Parker Brothers is known to all toy lovers by theirexemplification of her idea.
original creations or the ones with a license. But whoThe game had, as Monopoly, 40 squares, 4 railroads, 2
were they? George Parker was the youngest childsquares with utilities, 22 spaces for rent and special
from the three children that the Parkers had. Thoughsquares such as Jail, Go to Jail, Luxury tax and
he wanted to become a journalist Parker wasParking. The game gradually became successful and
passionate about games and toys. As an adolescentthe rules were transmitted from one player to another,
he created his first game - "Banking",. In time, heoften changed, and the board game and the pieces
founded a company and his brothers joined him, underwere made by passionate players.
the name of "Parker Brothers" and made history byEven if we do not know in what measure Darrow has
creating cards games, puzzle games and boardinspired himself in creating Monopoly, a thing is clear:
games.the game had and still has a huge success, especially
But, returning to our story, disappointed, Darrow stillafter the Toys Fair (1935), where it was first
believes in his idea and begins selling the game, thoughpresented. It became a real phenomenon, being
it had a lower quality design than the games producedadapted and translated in no more than 26 languages,
in factories. The game began to gain popularity, andincluding Braille.
the Parker brothers saw now the opportunity they