178. Monopoly
The last player left in the game wins. – 1935 Monopoly game rules
For such a popular game, it sure can be miserable to play. How many evenings have ended in painful recriminations—friends grimly mortgaging their railroads and utilities, tearful children bewildered among the wreckage of little green houses and squatty red hotels? And yet we love it. Teaches us ruthlessness or something.
For decades, we were told a story that we still believe: that the game celebrates free market capitalism. Every box included the heartwarming origin story about Charles Darrow, a destitute salesman during the Great Depression. He invented this game to save his family, and in doing so became fabulously rich. Mythology and game were perfectly aligned.
The true story came out in the 1970s, when Parker Brothers unsuccessfully sued over a game called Anti-Monopoly. It turns out Darrow had copied a game patented in 1904 by a Quaker, Lizzie Magie. Her game was a cautionary tale: players passed Lonely Lane; did time at Beggerman's Court; got fleeced by the Slambang Trolley. The game had spread informally, and Quakers in Atlantic City adapted it with local street names. That version eventually reached Charles Darrow.
Parker Brothers had quashed that story—they monopolized Monopoly—buying Magie’s patent for $500. (By contrast, Darrow received $7,000 plus royalties.) Magie had wanted to warn players against the evils of monopolies. But the game became famous, became the ur-game of America. Because we want to be the last player left in the game.
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This post is part of The American 250, a series featuring 250 objects made by Americans, located in America, in honor of the country's 250th anniversary. 250 words on 250 works, from January 1 to December 31, 2026.
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