Mary Pilon

Mary Pilon, a journalist and author specializing in sports and business, dives into the intriguing origins of Monopoly. She reveals how the game, often seen as a celebration of wealth, actually emerged from a critique of capitalism crafted by Lizzie McGee. Pilon contrasts the narrative of the game's supposed inventor, Charles Darrow, with McGee's overlooked contributions. The discussion highlights the socio-economic tensions of American capitalism, tracing Monopoly's transformation from a grassroots creation to a cultural icon.

There's more to Monopoly than you might think. It's one of the best-selling board games in history — despite huge economic instability, sales actually went up during the pandemic — and it's been an iconic part of American life at other pivotal moments: a cheap pastime during the Great Depression; a reminder of home for soldiers during WWII; and an American export during its rise as a global superpower. It endured even as it reflected some of the ongoing inequities in American society, from segregation and redlining, to capitalism run rampant. That's because Monopoly is also built on powerful American lore – the idea that anyone, with just a little bit of cash, can rise from rags to riches. Writer Mary Pilon, the author of The Monopolists: Obsession, Fury, and the Scandal Behind the World's Favorite Board Game, describes Monopoly as "the Great American Dream in a board game – or, nightmare."This week: how a critique of capitalism grew from a seed of an idea in a rebellious young woman's mind into a game legendary for its celebration of wealth at all costs. And behind that legend — there's a lie.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Mary Pilon, an author renowned for uncovering hidden histories, dives into the scandalous backstory of Monopoly. She reveals that it wasn't just Charles Darrow who created the game—feminist activist Lizzie Magie laid the groundwork decades earlier. Pilon discusses the corporate manipulation of Monopoly's origins and the obsessive quest of Ralph Anspach, who fought for the truth behind its legacy. This captivating tale intertwines themes of greed, history, and the social impact of board games, turning Monopoly into a fascinating narrative of American business.