⏰ when
When was Scrabble invented?
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Quick Answer
Scrabble was invented in 1938 by American architect Alfred Mosher Butts, and it was renamed Scrabble and trademarked in 1948.
The Full Story
Butts, out of work during the Great Depression, first created a word game called Lexiko and then refined it into Criss-Crosswords in 1938. He decided letter values and frequencies by counting letters on the front page of The New York Times. In 1948 James Brunot bought the rights, renamed it Scrabble and began manufacturing it. Sales took off in 1952 after the president of Macy's reportedly played it on holiday and ordered it for his store. Today it is sold in more than 120 countries and many languages.
Key Facts
1.Butts created the game in 1938
2.It was renamed Scrabble in 1948
3.Letter values came from counting newspaper letters
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"The unemployed architect who invented Scrabble"