19 Mind-Blowing Facts You Didn't Know About Monopoly

2. ...Until Parker Brothers Monopolised It

Charles Darrow wasn't the first to try and develop his own version of The Landlord's Game. Magie's educational board game was mostly self-published, meaning that pretty much anyone could get away with making variations on that original theme. It's just Darrow was the most successful.

In fact, during the early 20th century there were dozens of different takes on The Landlord's Game. After he ironed out some of the kinks, Darrow sold the rights to his own rules to Parker Brothers, who began publishing their game in 1935.

Having properly patented it and becoming crazy popular, they effectively monopolised the game.