Elizabeth Magie
Many to this day give credit of the invention of the beloved board game Monopoly to Charles Darrow. Darrow sold the game to the Parker Brothers in the 1930’s creating a fortune for himself amid the Great Depression. However, Monopoly’s concept was not an original creation of Darrow like some may think. The true inventor of the game thought up the idea decades before Monopoly was brought to the infamous game manufacturer, and her name was Elizabeth Magie.
Magie’s father, James Magie, sparked her interest in monopolies when he gifted her the 1879 book Progress and Poverty written by the anti-monopolist Henry George. After reading this book, Magie became fascinated with these large, powerful companies and their effect on our economy.
Magie was not like typical women in the early 1900’s. Rather than getting married and starting a family, Magie supported herself working throughout her young adult life. She primarily worked as a stenographer, but also wrote short stories, acted, and performed comedy. She was able to save her earnings to invest in a home and property near Washington D.C. by the time she was 30. She did not get married until she was 44.
Maggie developed The Landlord’s Game in 1903 as a protest to the big monopolies in the early 20th century. It was her hope that the reality of the game would empower women by teaching them about creating wealth. The popularity of the game spread to college campuses, and even Atlantic City—hence the Atlantic City Street names in the current Monopoly board game. It was a version of The Landlord’s game that was taught to Charles Darrow which he eventually sold to create his own wealth.
Maggie spoke out when Darrow claimed the idea of Monopoly as his. She spoke to multiple newspapers noting the similarities between the two games. However, Magie’s comments were quieted by the Parker Brothers as they continued to give Darrow credit for the game.
Magie was not recognized for her invention until 70 years after she initially applied for a patent when an economics professor was doing research for his own legal dispute with the Parker Brothers.
Had Magie been a man would things have played out differently? Would she have been credited from the get go? Regardless, Elizabeth Magie should be praised for her creation and intention to support women in their ability to support themselves in our society.