Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford cover image

Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford

Do NOT Pass GO! (Classic)

Jan 3, 2025
Discover the surprising origins of Monopoly, which was initially designed to promote economic fairness but became a symbol of greed. The podcast sheds light on Lizzie McGee, the true inventor, whose contributions were overshadowed by Charles Darrow. Explore how women inventors like McGee faced systemic challenges and the impact of newly launched games like Ms. Monopoly that aim to empower women. Uncover the transformation of The Landlord's Game into the classic we know today, highlighting the need for recognition of unsung geniuses in gaming.
35:58

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The overlooked contributions of Lizzie Magie to Monopoly illustrate the systemic discrimination faced by female inventors throughout history.
  • The introduction of Ms. Monopoly aimed to celebrate female inventors but highlighted the challenges of conveying a clear feminist message in gaming.

Deep dives

The Misunderstood Origins of Monopoly

The widely accepted narrative about Monopoly attributes its creation solely to Charles Darrow during the Great Depression. However, this story neglects the contributions of others who played a significant role in the game’s development. Darrow learned the game from friends Charles and Olive Todd, who had adapted it from an earlier version known as the Landlord's Game, created by Lizzie McGee. This historical oversight not only highlights the complexities of the game's origins but also raises questions about the acknowledgment of female inventors in popular culture.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode