Monopoly Editions

Monopoly: A Surprisingly Complicated Origin Story

Monopoly didn't start as a celebration of "getting rich." Its roots trace back to a teaching tool designed to show how land monopolies can concentrate wealth. Over time, homemade versions spread, the game was commercialized during the Great Depression, and it evolved into the massive universe of editions we have today.

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  • 1904

    The Landlord's Game is patented

    Inventor Elizabeth “Lizzie” Magie created The Landlord's Game to demonstrate how land ownership and rent can advantage property holders—and to make economic ideas easier to grasp through play.

  • 1900s–1930s

    Homemade boards spread (and evolve)

    Variations circulated socially and in communities of players, with rules and boards changing over time. Versions connected to Atlantic City helped shape the familiar street-and-property theme.

  • 1935

    Monopoly becomes a commercial hit

    During the Great Depression, Charles Darrow sold a version of the game to Parker Brothers in 1935, helping turn it into a mass-market phenomenon.

  • 1935 (board flavor)

    Atlantic City becomes the iconic board

    Many classic property names mirror real places in and around Atlantic City, New Jersey—helping give the board its distinctive “real city” feel.

  • 1991

    Hasbro acquires Parker Brothers

    Hasbro acquired Parker Brothers in 1991, bringing Monopoly under Hasbro's umbrella.

  • Today

    A universe of editions

    From themed franchises to local city boards, Monopoly has become a platform for thousands of editions—while the core loop (buy, trade, build, collect rent) stays instantly recognizable.

Why Atlantic City?

The classic board's street names are tied to real Atlantic City locations (plus a few nearby places). It's part of why the board feels oddly specific—and why people still visit the real-life counterparts.

What Monopoly was trying to teach (at first)

The Landlord's Game was designed to illustrate how rent and land ownership can create unequal outcomes—an educational intention that's easy to miss if you only know Monopoly as a family game night staple.

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FAQ

What was The Landlord's Game?

Inventor Elizabeth "Lizzie" Magie created The Landlord's Game to demonstrate how land ownership and rent can advantage property holders—and to make economic ideas easier to grasp through play.

Why is the classic board tied to Atlantic City?

Many classic property names mirror real places in and around Atlantic City, New Jersey—helping give the board its distinctive "real city" feel. "Marvin Gardens" is famously misspelled; the real place is "Marven Gardens."

When did Monopoly become a commercial hit?

During the Great Depression, Charles Darrow sold a version of the game to Parker Brothers in 1935, helping turn it into a mass-market phenomenon. Hasbro acquired Parker Brothers in 1991.

What was Monopoly trying to teach at first?

The Landlord's Game was designed to illustrate how rent and land ownership can create unequal outcomes—an educational intention that's easy to miss if you only know Monopoly as a family game night staple.

Sources