The Pittsburgh Press from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 68

5- I Parker Brothers playing around 100 years Milestones in life of Parker Brothers Game Company It all began in 1882 when 16-year-old George Parker became bored with chess and dominoes and invented a game called "Banking." Regarded as a forerunner of "Monopoly." it was a card game in which the richest player won. Parker spent $40 to TJ 70 ti yt PI a 70 early success reach the company. Today, the game Is published in 19 languages and 29 countries. 1942 With the onset ol WW II, the company publishes games that relied the country's military spirit by introducing "Dog Fight," "Ranger Commandos," and "Navy Weftup." 1953 Not only is Parker Brothers the firs) game company to advertise on the new medium of television, but the company capitalizes on the industry by marketing games such as "Bonanza," "Daniel Boone" and "Say When!" 1956 Parker Brothers publishes "Clue," the famous whodunit board game, in association with the John Waddington game firm in London, England. 1959 The game of world conquest entitled "Risk" is introduced on the market.

Today, publisher Hugh Hefner, movie director Steven Spielberg and President Ronald Reagan are said to be among the game's most avid fans. 1968 Parker Brothers and food company General Mills merge. 1970 "Nerf," the world's first official indoor ball, bounces into American homes, "Nerf" footballs (the best-selling football in the world) soon join the polyurethane line of junior sports equipment. 1980 "Merlin" appears on tfte market and becomes the hand-held electronic Game of the Year 1982 Parker Brothers enters the home video game arena by making "Frogger" and "The Empire Strikes Back" two ot the top 10 best-selling cartridges ol the year "Monopoly Paymaster," an electronic accessory for the classic game, also hits the market. 1983 By designing and manufacturing more than two dozen game programs, Parker Brothers products enter the personal computer software market.

i 1883 The George S. Parker Company is es- tablished in Salem, Mass. 1887 George persuades his brother Charles, i shrewd and practical oilman, to join the company, which is then renamed Parker Brothers. 1896 Parker Brothers Company capitalizes on the nation's gold-rush fever with the introduction ol "Klondike." 1898 With the country on the brink ot the Spanish-American War, Parker Brothers' games reflect the nation's rising military spirit. "Hold The Fort," "War In Cuba," "The Siege Of Havana," and "Military Game" are 1901 Parker Brothers introduces the first game craze of the 20th century with "Ping Pong" "the correct after-dinner entertainment for the smart set." 1906 "Rook," Parker Brothers' most successful card game, makes its appearance.

1 909 Parker Brothers creates a new national pastime, the jigsaw puzzle, i 1921 Parker Brothers Is at the forefront ol "Mahjohngg," a game craze that is sweeping the country. 1923 Parker Brothers capitalizes on America's love affair with the automobile, flouring." "The Tire Came Off," "Buster Bumper's Automobile Trip," and "What Color Is Your Car?" are introduced. 1928 One year after mail service takes to the air and Charles Lindbergh crosses the Atlantic Ocean, Parker Brothers introduces a host of avi- ation games: "Wings," "The Linoy Hop," "The Flying Tour," and "The Air Mail Game." 1935 "Monopoly," is brought to the company by Charles B. Darrow of Germantown, Pa. Unanimously turned down, Darrow sells a few copies of the game through a Philadelphia department store.

Parker Brothers reconsiders and buys the game rights when reports of the game's with fearsome powers. Two to four players travel through the fantasy world of "Krull." Some familiar classics have been re-released by the company in more compact, eye-appealing packages. These card games include: "Mille Bornes," "Pit," "Flinch," "Rook," "Funny Bones" and "Waterworks." Another new family card game, "Won Over," demands luck and skill in order for players to race successfully against each other. Wildcards and leapfrogging keep the game's outcome in suspense. Toys and electronic games Since the introduction of Nerf toys in 1970, the line of junior indooroutdoor sporting goods has continued to grow.

The latest additions are the Loch Nerf Monsters (for fun in pools or bathtubs) and Nerf boomerangs. The Nerf monsters are made of soft vinyl with terry-cloth jackets and suction cup hands. The boomerangs consist of the same lightweight foam used to make all Nerf sports equipment. Hand-held electronic games such as "Q-bert" and the "Return of the Jedi," "Ewok Adventure," and home video game cartridges "Q-bert" and "Popeye" headline Parker Brothers' home arcade line. Other popular electronic game devices include: "Master Merlin" and "Monopoly Playmaster." The latter provides special play such as auctions and property oans, along with lights, music, sound effects and electronic dice-rolling.

Regular Monopoly game board and equipment are not included in "Monopoly batteries not required. manufacture 500 sets of Banking and sold it himself throughout New England. A year later, with the $100 profit he had earned, he established the George S. Parker Company. One of America's legendary board game companies was born.

New games and spruced-up classics highlight this 100th anniversary of the Parker Brothers Company. Children's and family board games, card and electronic games and assorted puzzles, books and toys await shoppers who have an array of interests. Children's Games Items associated with the Care Bears will be popular this season. In the "Care Bear" board game, two to four young players join the Care Bears on a journey to the joyful land of Care-a-lot. To make the trip, players collect chips matching the emotions of the Care Bears.

Six new Care Bear books also have been released this year. The books explore subjects such as fear of the dark, showing off, making new friends and other topics of concern to youngsters. "Strawberry Shortcake" is back in board and card games. Other Parker Brothers games for children this year include card and board games based on "Return of the Jedi," Popeye, Q-bert, Garfield and "Superman III." Family Games Besides "Domain," "Option" and "Shadowlord," Parker Brothers has introduced card and board games that recreate action from the movie "Krull." The game features a damsel in distress, a handsome prince and a beast IS YOUR WARDROBE PREPARED FOR THE 0 KING GARDEN PALACE AND NURSERY HOLIDAYS WE HAVE CLOTHES FOR BIG MEN NEED MONEY FOR THE SPORTSWEAR TO 5X WAISTS TO 66 COATS TO 60 NECKS TO 22 OPEN SUNDAYS 'TIL CHRISTMAS 4A 4 Visit Christmas Wonderland, Its a Tradition. Over 60 beautiful theme idea trees.

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