12 Fun Facts About Famous Board Games You Probably Didn’t Know

Scrabble: The Word Game That Almost Wasn't

Scrabble, the beloved word game, has a history as colorful as its tiles. Created by Alfred Mosher Butts during the Great Depression, Scrabble was initially rejected by major game manufacturers. Butts, an architect, combined elements of anagrams and crossword puzzles to create the game, meticulously calculating letter frequencies to determine tile values. It wasn't until the 1950s that Scrabble gained popularity, thanks to a fortuitous endorsement by Macy's president, Jack Straus. The game's rise to fame was rapid, becoming a household staple and sparking international competitions. Scrabble's enduring popularity is a testament to its unique blend of skill, strategy, and chance, challenging players to expand their vocabulary while having fun. Its journey from obscurity to global success highlights the power of perseverance and the timeless appeal of wordplay.