Buzz
While most people are familiar with the $200 bonus when passing Go, there's much more to discover about Monopoly than the gameplay itself. This beloved board game has a rich history that spans over 80 years, filled with intriguing details. The origins of the game are debated, player tokens have remained mostly unchanged, and there are countless Monopoly versions to enjoy with family and friends. Here are ten fascinating facts about Monopoly that you might not know.
10. Elizabeth Magie Was the Original Creator
Charles Darrow, a heater salesman from Philadelphia, is often credited with inventing Monopoly. However, the true creator was Elizabeth Magie. She developed a game similar to what we now know as Monopoly, called Landlord's Game, and filed a legal claim for it in 1903. It wasn't until 30 years later that Parker Brothers began producing Darrow's version of Monopoly.
Magie designed her game as a critique of wealthy monopolists like John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie. Darrow, however, claimed the game as his own and sold it to Parker Brothers. In exchange, Parker Brothers bought the patent for Magie's Landlord's Game and two other unmarketed games she created. Darrow's royalties earned him millions, while Magie reportedly received just $500 for her original work.
9. Over 300 Different Monopoly Licensed Game Editions
Chances are, you've either seen or even played a special edition of Monopoly. With over 300 licensed versions of this beloved board game, there’s something for everyone. From movies and TV shows to sports and pop culture, these themed editions are ever-expanding. In 1991, Hasbro acquired both Parker Brothers and Monopoly, and began producing all of the licensed editions that are now widely available.
Among the most popular licensed versions are Super Mario, Garbage Pail Kids, The Simpsons, Call of Duty, Pac-Man, and Breaking Bad. You can also find Monopoly versions based on various sports teams, Disney films, and even Star Wars. No matter your interests, there’s a Monopoly edition designed just for you!
8. Over 10 Monopoly World Records
Monopoly holds more than 10 Guinness World Records. These include records for the most people playing the game in a single location, the largest collection of Monopoly memorabilia, and even the largest Monopoly board. The largest Monopoly board, which was built in 2016 in the Netherlands, measured an incredible 9,689.97 feet.
The largest permanent Monopoly board is located in San Jose, California. Known as Monopoly in the Park, this massive game board is open to the public. Spanning 930 square feet, it features giant dice, oversized tokens, and a ‘jailhouse’ area for players who 'do not pass Go and go directly to jail.' This record-setting board opened its doors to the public in July 2002.
7. The Most Expensive Monopoly Set, Valued at $2 Million
In 1988, jeweler Sidney Mobell from San Francisco created an extravagant Monopoly set worth $2 million. The game board is crafted from 23-carat gold, while the dice are adorned with 42 full-cut diamonds. Even the houses and hotels are made from solid gold, topped with sapphires and rubies.
The game pieces, including the thimble and racecar, are made of 28-carat solid gold. In 2003, Mobell donated this extraordinary gold Monopoly set to the Smithsonian. The set was displayed at the Museum of American Finance until October 2012.
6. Compete in the Monopoly World Championships
Monopoly players can participate in competitive local tournaments, which may lead to national competitions. The top players from national tournaments earn the chance to compete in the Monopoly World Championships, typically held every 4-6 years. The last championship took place in Macau in 2015. Over the years, there have been 14 World Championships, with past events hosted in Las Vegas (2009), Tokyo (2004), Toronto (2000), and Monte Carlo (1996). The last two championships used the Speed Die and $1,500 starting cash, while earlier tournaments followed the classic set of rules.
5. Evolution of Game Pieces Over Time
Monopoly didn’t originally feature iconic game pieces like the thimble or top hat. In fact, the original version didn’t include any game pieces at all, so players used household items such as buttons or paper clips as markers. Early game pieces were wooden, but in 1937, they were replaced by iron pieces, including the iron, car, thimble, shoe, lantern, purse, dog, battleship, and rocking horse.
During World War II, Parker Brothers reverted to using wooden pieces for a short period due to a metal shortage. In the 1950s, several new markers were introduced, such as the racecar, boot, cannon, and wheelbarrow. These pieces remained in the game until the 1990s. Today’s tokens include the dog, racecar, cat, top hat, and battleship, along with three newer additions from 2017: the penguin, rubber ducky, and T-rex.
4. Properties Based on Real Streets
All the properties featured on a Monopoly board are named after actual streets in Atlantic City, New Jersey. From Baltic to Marvin Gardens to Boardwalk, these are real places you can visit. Interestingly, Marvin Gardens is a misspelling of Marven Gardens, and it has become one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in real life. Although many of the properties are based on real locations, not all of them exist today. For example, Atlantic City's Illinois Avenue was renamed Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard in the 1980s, and St. Charles Place is no longer in existence, with the Showboat Atlantic City now standing where the street once ran.
3. The Hand-Made Darrow Game is the Oldest Known Version
The oldest known version of Monopoly is the hand-crafted Darrow game, created by Charles Darrow. It is believed that Darrow produced around 5,000 copies of this game. After Parker Brothers declined to buy the game, Darrow continued producing them to demonstrate its potential. The game's popularity led Parker Brothers to change their decision and make an offer to purchase it.
The original Darrow game board was made from a circular piece of oilcloth, with squares drawn by hand. It also included Monopoly money, cards, and wooden game pieces. One of the original 5,000 copies was purchased for $146,500 by the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York.
2. Helped Prisoners of War
Monopoly gained popularity during World War II, playing an unexpected role in aiding prisoners of war. Germany permitted POWs to receive letters and packages, and they also allowed them to pass the time with board games. Seizing this opportunity, British Intelligence collaborated with the game's creators to secretly include items that could assist prisoners in their escape efforts. Among the hidden items were compasses and maps that revealed safe routes for escaping captivity.
To avoid detection, these crucial items were concealed under labels on the game board. Additionally, real money from various currencies was discreetly mixed with the fake Monopoly bills. Prisoners could enjoy a game of Monopoly while secretly using it as a tool to plan their daring escapes with fellow inmates, all while staying focused on the task at hand.
1. The Monopoly Man: A Real-Life Inspiration
The story behind the Monopoly Man, or Rich Uncle Pennybags, is intriguing—he is said to have been modeled after the renowned American tycoon J.P. Morgan. Morgan, one of the leading figures in the nation's financial sector just before the creation of Monopoly, was an influential banker and financier who controlled what is now J.P. Morgan and Company.
The character of Monopoly's energetic elderly mascot closely resembles J.P. Morgan in several ways. The familiar morning suit, bow tie, and top hat worn by the Monopoly Man bear a striking resemblance to the attire often seen in photographs of Morgan. Furthermore, both share a mustache as their signature feature, and like Morgan, the Monopoly Man is frequently depicted holding a cane, further mirroring the tycoon's persona.
