Did you know? The Game Monopoly Is A Feminist Critique of Capitalism

On March 19, 1935 Parker Brothers signed a contract with Charles B Darrow - the person who they believed had invented the game - and began selling Monopoly. 

Vintage Monopoly Set for sale on Rhuckus with Magie's original patent number

Parker Brothers learned that the first Monopoly patent 1,509,312 was issued in 1924 and actually belonged to Elizabeth Magie - the original inventor of the "Landlord's Game".  Her patent number 1,509,312 was granted in 1924.

Charles Darrow had stolen Elizabeth's intellectual property.

So what happened?  Parker Brother purchase Magie's patent from her for $500 and no royalties. They did this to protect their own claim to ownership and Charles Darrow's claim to be the inventor of Monopoly. 

Parker Brothers did not share the profits with Elizabeth in any meaningful way, and then collaborated with Charles Darrow to write her out of the story of her own invention.

Until the 1970s, anyway.  You can read more here.  https://www.klemchuk.com/ideate/lizzie-magie-monopoly-patent

For what it is worth, no one disputes that Charles Darrow did much to popularize the game and make it was it is today.  Elizabeth Magie was likewise delighted to know the game was being played, and was happy to share the spotlight with him.  In light of her gracious response, Parker Brothers and Charles Darrow's decision to exclude her from real profit-sharing and from history appears unnecessary .... perhaps even mean-spirited.  

Elizabeth Magie wrote an article explaining her game in 1902: https://cooperative-individualism.org/magie-lizzie_the-landlords%27-game-explained-1902-autumn.pdf

You can read more about Elizabeth Magie here: https://www.history.com/articles/monopoly-game-inventor-elizabeth-magie