Research: History of board games

Archaeological evidence:

Rich, grieving parents often used to bury their children amongst their favourite toys and games - since then, many games have been found in tombs. 


During 3000BC, the Egyptians used mud gaming boards. Evidence has been found in an Egyptian tomb of a board and peg game with heads of dog or wolves on. 

Chance vs. Fate:
Evidence taken from Egyptian tombs dating from around 2800BC showed that dice were used during that period, and therefore, it can be suggested that luck and skill were involved in board games during this time period.

The first board game to be manufactured in the USA:

Namely "The Mansion of Happiness" was manufactured in 1843. The board game business began to expand greatly, as improved printing and production techniques bought about increased prosperity, allowing more board games to be manufactured. 

Themes of board games during the 19th and 20th century: 

Most board games involved educational or moral themes during this time period. A good example of these themes could be presented in the game "Snakes and Ladders" which held great moral significance - rewarding virtue, but punishing vice.

Small pictures of a child carrying a load for a member of the elderly would be able to move up the ladder, how ever the greedy child would go back down the snake's body.

The Great Depression:

During the end of the 1920s, many members of the public were put out of work due to the Great Depression. 

A picture of Charles Darrow.

A particular individual, namely Charles Darrow, improvised a board game which had street names of Atlantic City around the edge of the board, and had the objective of gaining properties. As the game became more popular, Darrow sold copies of his board game to a department store. Leading to the Parker Brothers selling over a million sets after 1935. This game has now became world-known and is known as 'Monopoly'.

Using board games to advertise:

After World War Two, manufacturers used board games to promote and advertise their products. A good example to enforce this statement is the company 'Huntley and Palmer'. 

During 1926, the company produced a checkers game and used real ginger nut biscuits as the counter pieces. 

Manufacturers produced board games based on comics, TV programmes and radio programmes, in order to help promote their products and aim for a larger gross profit. 

A good example to enforce this statement is the company 'Huntley and Palmer'. 

During 1926, the company produced a checkers game and used real ginger nut biscuits as the counter pieces. 

References taken from: 
http://www.ccgs.com/games/index.htm
http://www.techitoutuk.com/projects/boardgames/history.html