With more time spent at home over the past year, many of us have
dusted off some old board games (and bought some new ones!) for a
rainy afternoon. Whilst the idea of board games may not make you
think of patents immediately, let's take a look at some board
game patents and a bit of history.
Monopoly (or "The Landlord's Game"?)
The most popular board game of all time with over 270 million
copies sold, Monopoly was patented in 1935 by Charles Darrow. After
being initially rejected by toy and game manufacturer Parker
Brothers, Monopoly was purchased by them a year later after Charles
Darrow had sold 5000 homemade copies. But, although he claimed to
be, was Charles Darrow really the sole inventor?
