Explained: The history of Monopoly

Did you know that originally, you were not supposed to win at Monopoly?

Listen to our short history of the Monopoly game, as we learn that the game originated long before the board we know today.

In the Scottish edition of The Landlord’s Game, the long-forgotten precursor to Monopoly, patented by Lizzie Magie in 1904 and inspired by Henry George’s economics, it showed the dangers of land monopoly. In Scotland, animal imagery made its message palatable as a children’s game and turned folklore into satire: Brer Rabbit is the tenant and Brer Fox the landlord. Unlike modern Monopoly, this version allowed escape from the system it criticised.

Exploring the concept of play in human cultures, Play Power reflects on the broader significance of play and how this is integrated into our daily lives. This exhibition forms part of our What is the Meaning of Life? season, which delves into the fundamental questions of human existence, from rulemaking, to time and play.

On loan from the City of Edinburgh Council Museums and Galleries