Support provided by:
A man in Delaware has an old board game that bears a remarkable similarity to Monopoly, but was made 20 years before Parker Brothers patented their creation.
Could he own the earliest version of the world's best-selling board game? To solve this mystery, History Detectives investigates Monopoly's history and discovers a surprising story.
Rather than originating in the Great Depression of the 1930s, Monopoly could be a much older game, reflecting an economic argument that - if followed - would have created a radically different economy from today's.
Related Content
Technique:
Feature:
Feature:
Feature:
Related Links
Explore
-
Related Investigation
Broadway Ballet Shoes
Did this dancer's great-great-grandfather teach Salvatore Capezio to make ballet shoes?
-
Also in Depression and WWII: 1929-1945
Empire State Building Plane Crash Piece
Does this piece of metal belong to the plane that crashed into the Empire State Building?
-
Also in Depression and WWII: 1929-1945
Pretty Boy Floyd's Gun
Did this vintage Colt handgun belong to the outlaw Charles "Pretty Boy" Floyd?
-
Also with Elyse Luray
Mouse Toy
Could this tiny toy labeled 'Micky' be the original Mickey Mouse?
-
Also in Depression and WWII: 1929-1945
Japanese House
How did a Japanese house come to be at the San Francisco World's Fair just months before WWII began?
-
Also with Elyse Luray
Calf Creek Arrow
Is this arrow found in a bison skull just another hoax or an incredible archeological discovery?
Comments
This is a place for opinions, comments, questions and discussion; a place where viewers of History Detectives can express their points of view and connect with others who value history. We ask that posters be polite and respectful of all opinions. History Detectives reserves the right to delete comments that don’t conform to this conduct. We will not respond to every post, but will do our best to answer specific questions, or address an error.
Anyone wishing to submit an artifact for investigation should do so through Submit a Story.
- Submit your StoryDo you have a Depression or World War II object? Submit your story now.
- Latest CommentI have a Pearl Harbor story. It involves a bracelet that was fashioned from the dial labels of one of the kamikaze fighter jets. The dashboard was pulled out before the plane went up in flames after it had crashed. The bracelet was given to my grandmother, (15 hours ago)
- Twitterremember this investigation with @TukufuZuberi @elyseluray Tonight they reunite! Let us know your thoughts! @PBS http://t.co/4KMnc27K (7 months ago)
- FacebookSome wisdom as the day draws to a close. Like my page for more conversations. Enjoy your evening. Peace, Tukufu. (2 days ago)