“The True Inventor of Monopoly”
MEMBERS & VISITORS:
“The True Inventor of Monopoly”
Hello again Family. This is Prof. Singer of Tharaka Invention Academy and I want to share a story about Lizzie Magie, the original inventor of the board game known today as “Monopoly”. You will learn a little bit more about the ups and downs in the life of an inventor, in the case a woman who identified herself as not beautiful, but attractive. In the 1930s, amidst the echoes of economic hardship, a board game called Monopoly found its way into the American home, igniting imaginations with its promise of wealth and real estate domination. This game, which would eventually sell over 275 million copies worldwide, was not born from the mind of the man often credited with its creation, but from the innovative spirit of a woman named Lizzie Magie—a writer, actress, and inventor from Illinois.
Elizabeth “Lizzie” Magie was a true renaissance woman. Born in 1866 in Macomb, Illinois, she grew up in a political family influenced by debates on social justice and economic reform. Her father, an abolitionist newspaper publisher, instilled in her a strong sense of equity and fairness. These principles guided Lizzie through diverse careers, from engineering to acting, and deeply influenced her creations.
Lizzie’s masterwork, The Landlord’s Game, patented in 1904, was a direct forebear to Monopoly. It featured a square board with properties around the perimeter—sound familiar? The game was designed to teach the economic theories of Henry George, particularly the inequities of land ownership and the virtues of a single land tax. Lizzie hoped it would illuminate the dark corners of capitalist societies.
However, The Landlord’s Game did not reach the commercial heights it deserved during her lifetime. It found modest success among progressive communities, including Quakers and college students, who appreciated its critical view of land monopolism. The game evolved through homemade versions, spread by those who learned it from friends or crafted their own boards. Yet, as these versions proliferated, the true origin of the game began to blur.
Enter Charles Darrow, an unemployed salesman from Philadelphia. In the early 1930s, Darrow caught wind of this game and, sensing opportunity, adapted it. He sold this version—Monopoly—to Parker Brothers, claiming it as his own creation. The game was an instant hit, perfectly aligning with the American Dream narrative and providing a diversion during the Great Depression.
Monopoly’s success turned Darrow into a millionaire and Parker Brothers into a household name. Sadly, Lizzie Magie’s pivotal role was nearly forgotten. She sold her patent rights to Parker Brothers for just $500 and watched as her game was commercialized in a way that stripped it of its original, critical message.
It wasn’t until the 1970s that Lizzie’s contributions were rediscovered, thanks to a legal battle involving a game called Anti-Monopoly. Today, we know the truth about Monopoly’s origins, and while Lizzie Magie did not receive the financial rewards or immediate recognition she deserved, her intellectual legacy challenges us to think critically about the rules of the game—both in Monopoly and in life.
Questions?? Contact me any time at profsinger@inventionschool.tech
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Mechanical/Solar Engineer, Prof. Oku Singer
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