10 Classic Board Games That Changed Play and the IP Behind Them
Growing up, many of us made lifelong memories around household board games. But behind the laughter and nostalgia lies a hidden hero: intellectual property, which enabled inventors and companies to transform hobbies into global cultural icons. Recently, the USPTO spotlighted the original patent for Twister—so we thought it would be fun to revisit ten iconic games and explore the IP stories behind each.
1. Twister (“Pretzel”)
Invented by Charles F. Foley and Neil W. Rabens, Twister was patented on July 8, 1969 as U.S. Patent No. 3,454,279 (view it here). The design introduced a colored mat combined with a spinner mechanism that directs players to place specific limbs on specific colors—effectively making the players the game pieces themselves.
Fun fact: After appearing on The Tonight Show, Twister was briefly controversial, dubbed “sex in a box” by critics. The scandal only fueled its popularity.
2. Monopoly
Filed in 1935 by Charles Darrow and granted as U.S. Patent No. 2,026,082 (link), the Monopoly patent covers everything from its continuous path layout to Chance cards, property groups, and house/hotel upgrades.
Fun fact: Monopoly is based on The Landlord’s Game, patented in 1904 by Lizzie Magie as a critique of capitalism—though it’s Darrow’s commercialized version that became a global staple.
3. Scrabble
James Brunot’s 1956 patent (U.S. Patent No. 2,752,158 – link) protected the now-familiar letter tile game with scoring, racks, and premium word squares. It was adapted from an earlier design by Alfred Butts.
Fun fact: Scrabble’s big break came when the president of Macy’s played it on vacation, loved it, and immediately ordered it for his stores.
4. The Game of Life
One of the oldest games on this list, the original version was filed by Milton Bradley in 1866 as U.S. Patent No. 53,561 (view here). It emphasized moral progression through life’s choices. The 1960 relaunch, led by Reuben Klamer, added spinners, jobs, families, and retirement paths.
Fun fact: Klamer redesigned the game in just a few days to make a trade show deadline—and created a timeless hit in the process.
5. Battleship
Though originally a paper-and-pencil pastime, Battleship got its first plastic-based patent in 1959 with U.S. Patent No. 2,898,108 (link). Inventor Louis Coffin’s design allowed for peg-based feedback and secret ship placement.
Fun fact: Soldiers reportedly played early versions of Battleship during WWII, long before it became a toy-store staple.
6. Clue / Cluedo
Filed during WWII and granted in 1954, GB586817 (link) introduced a murder-mystery deduction game with hidden cards, player movement, and secret envelopes. It was created by Anthony Pratt in the UK.
Fun fact: The game was originally named “Murder!” but publishers softened the branding to “Cluedo,” a mash-up of “clue” and “ludo” (Latin for “I play”).
7. Mousetrap
Patented in 1967 under U.S. Patent No. 3,298,692 (link), Mousetrap is a rare example of a game where you build a complex contraption while playing. Marvin Glass and Gordon Barlow’s design turned a Rube Goldberg machine into the game’s focal point.
Fun fact: It was one of the first games where assembly was part of the fun—not just the setup.
8. Operation
Filed in the mid-60s and granted as U.S. Patent No. 3,333,846 (link), Operation brought together humor and fine motor skills using a buzzer circuit that activated if your tweezers touched the metal edges of “Cavity Sam.”
Fun fact: Inventor John Spinello sold the concept for just $500 and never saw a dime in royalties, despite Operation becoming a best-seller.
9. Candy Land
Created by Eleanor Abbott while recovering from polio and patented in 1947 (U.S. Trademark 76370443 – link), Candy Land helped children learn colors, turns, and patience without needing to read.
Fun fact: Abbott tested the game with fellow children in the polio ward, where it quickly became a hit—eventually catching the attention of Milton Bradley.
10. Risk
The strategy game Risk was granted several trademarks over the years. It was based on a French game by filmmaker Albert Lamorisse and focused on global conquest using dice battles and reinforcement cards.
Fun fact: Lamorisse is better known for directing The Red Balloon, but his legacy in gaming has arguably had even greater global reach.
Key Takeaways for IP Professionals
Although many of these protections have long expired, they laid the groundwork for decades of innovation—and illustrate how even simple mechanics can be worth protecting. These patents demonstrate how inventors used creative claims to secure rights over not just components but entire gameplay systems. And while protection gave them a head start, trademarks, copyrights, and trade dress helped these games endure.
From filings to commercial assignments, these stories remind us that behind every iconic product is an IP strategy—intentional or not.
Final Thoughts
These ten games changed childhoods around the world, and they did it with the help of smart, often scrappy filings. The recent USPTO highlight of Twister’s original patent reminds us that the fun stuff often has serious intellectual property underneath. If your clients are inventing the next big thing—or managing legacy brands—help them protect what matters.
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