A man steals a woman's idea and becomes filthy rich. Stealing ideas is a pattern often repeated throughout history. It was the same with monopoly. But who is really behind the world-famous board game?
Did you know? That monopoly Actually it was invented by a woman Was it originally an anti-capitalist game? But then comes the man's turn Captures the idea And he gets filthy rich.
This is the fate of Elizabeth Magic Phillips, the eponymous Lazy Magic. And she even saw how Charles Darrow She became a millionaire with her idea. But one thing at a time.
Lizzie Magee, circa 1892 (public domain, photographer unknown)
Original: Lizzie's Magic and Its Vision
This is how the game should have seemed like magic: it shows that monopolies and land ownership are the cause of poverty. This version is based on the so-called “single tax”, which would abolish all taxes except those imposed on land ownership. Lizzie Magee even filed a patent for this invention in 1904 – an unusual step for a woman then and now.
However, another version of this game has prevailed.
Stealing Ideas: Charles Darrow and Commercial Success
Unemployed Charles Darrow recognizes the Landlord's Game, makes some changes and begins selling his own version in 1933. Two years later, a toy company buys the rights, but: You know that Charles Darrow is not the first inventor of this board game. They contact the original inventor, buy the patent from her for $500, and make Charles Darrow rich while erasing all traces of the pioneer.
The original idea for Lizzie Magie has been lost. Suddenly it was no longer about criticizing capitalism, it was about “capitalism for beginners.” According to a 1938 interview, Lizzie Magee said:
“If people started thinking about the inequalities of capitalism, backgammon would still work.”
Today we can say: One can talk about success, but only when it comes to the man who became successful with the idea of a woman: Charles Darrow.
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