Elizabeth Magie: Story Of The Woman Who Actually Invented Monopoly

For decades, the tale of inventing Monopoly has been woven into the fabric of its iconic board. The narrative follows Charles Darrow, an unemployed man during the Great Depression, who miraculously invents the game, rescues himself from destitution, and saves the Parker Brothers from financial ruin. However, recent revelations have shaken the foundation of this story, revealing that the true inventor of Monopoly was not Charles Darrow but a progressive woman named Elizabeth Magie.

Elizabeth Magie, born in 1866 in Macomb, Illinois, led an extraordinary life that defied the norms of her era. Unlike most women of the era, Magie supported herself, pursuing careers as a stenographer and a secretary. She loved exploring her creative pursuits, writing poetry, and short stories, and even performing comedic routines on stage. However, her most remarkable creation was a board game born out of her strong political beliefs.

Elizabeth Magie: A Woman Ahead Of Her Time

Magie's upbringing was marked by her father's influence, a newspaper publisher and abolitionist who debated politics with Abraham Lincoln. Exposed to journalism early on, Magie witnessed her father's anti-monopoly stance and drew inspiration from Henry George's book, Progress and Poverty.

In the 1880s, Magie worked as a stenographer, navigating a growing profession open to women due to the aftermath of the Civil War. She used her creative outlets, performing on stage and pursuing her literary ambitions. In 1903, Magie, in her 30s, patented the Landlord's Game, representing less than 1% of female patent applicants at the time. Struggling to support herself on meagre earnings, Magie staged a bold stunt in 1906, mocking marriage as the only option for women. This move gained national attention, highlighting Magie's commitment to challenging societal norms.

The Landlord's Game: A Protest Against Monopolies

In 1903, more than three decades before the Parker Brothers manufactured Monopoly, Magie filed a legal claim for her creation, the Landlord's Game. Her game was a protest against the powerful monopolists of her time, including Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller. Magie devised two sets of rules, one anti-monopolist, promoting shared wealth, and the other monopolist, encouraging players to create and crush monopolies.

Despite Magie's intention to demonstrate the moral superiority of the anti-monopolist rules, it was the monopolist version that gained popularity. Charles Darrow claimed a version of the game as his own and sold it to Parker Brothers, making millions in the process. On the other hand, Magie reportedly earned a mere $500 for her groundbreaking creation.

Magie's Unacknowledged Struggle

As the Monopoly craze swept the nation, Magie, now elderly, expressed her frustration in 1936 interviews, accusing Darrow of appropriating her idea. Holding her game boards before photographers, she sought recognition for being the true creator of Monopoly. Despite her efforts, Magie passed away in 1948, a widow without children, without her role in Monopoly's creation acknowledged on her headstone or in her obituary.

From Cult Hit To Best Seller

At the turn of the 20th century, board games gained popularity, and Magie's game found a unique place with its circular board design. Her creation served as a platform for left-wing intellectuals and Quakers, who added their neighbourhood properties to the board. Charles Darrow learned a version of Magie's game, which eventually became the Monopoly we know today.

The Unveiling Of Magie's Identity

Magie's true identity as Monopoly's inventor remained buried until 1973 when Ralph Anspach, an economics professor, uncovered her patents during a legal battle with Parker Brothers over his Anti-Monopoly game. Despite Parker Brothers' dismissive stance on Magie's game, Anspach's research confirmed her contribution.

Nearly 40 years after the truth emerged, the Charles Darrow myth persists as an inspirational American parable. Elizabeth Magie's story prompts reflection on how many other hidden histories exist, belonging to individuals like Magie who quietly contribute to the world. Monopoly, a game built on competition, raises questions about who deserves credit for inventions and the often-overlooked contributions of women like Magie.