The classic game of Monopoly might surprise you with its radical roots. Here's the gist:
- The original game, patented in 1904 by Elizabeth "Lizzie" Magie, was called The Landlord's Game.
- Magie, a feminist and social activist, designed it to criticize concentrated wealth and the unfair advantages of landlords.
- Her inspiration came from the economic theories of Henry George, who advocated for a tax on land value to curb monopolies.
It wasn't until decades later, during the Great Depression, that the Parker Brothers acquired the rights, significantly changed the rules, and rebranded it as Monopoly, the game of accumulating wealth through property ownership.
This interesting twist on Monopoly's history highlights the potential for games to carry social commentary and challenge the status quo.
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