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.
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.
Ms. Monopoly: A Controversial Reimagining
In 2019, Hasbro launched Ms. Monopoly, a game designed to celebrate female inventors but faced criticism for its execution. The game introduced a twist where female players start with more Monopoly money than male players, leading to confusion about the underlying message. While it aimed to elevate women's contributions to innovation, it inconsistently framed gender-related advantages, suggesting a lack of clarity in its feminist stance. The focus on investing in inventions by women, such as the chocolate chip cookie and the leak-proof diaper, was a redeeming feature that drew attention to significant yet often overlooked contributions.
Lizzie McGee: The Overlooked Pioneer
Despite having patented her game, Lizzie McGee's influence has largely been overshadowed by her male counterparts and has gone unrecognized in contemporary narratives. Her cooperative vision for the Landlord's Game challenged traditional economic concepts, aiming to teach children about social justice and resource sharing. However, McGee's struggle to have her game widely adopted reflects broader societal biases that often marginalize women's achievements. This discrepancy continues to resonate today, as highlighting female inventors remains a crucial yet challenging endeavor in the effort to achieve gender parity in innovation.
Cautionary Tales returns with new episodes on January 10th.
Lizzie J. Magie (played by Helena Bonham Carter) should be celebrated as the inventor of what would become Monopoly. But, even though she had a patent, her role in creating the smash hit board game was cynically ignored.
Discrimination has marred the careers of many inventors and excluded others from the innovation economy entirely. Could crediting forgotten figures such as Lizzie Magie help change that?
For a full list of sources, see the show notes at timharford.com.