Ironing Things Out

The Monopoly iron heads into history

I always thought we would be able to iron things out...forever.  But things change.  The people spoke.  The iron is out.  A cat is in.  The Monopoly goes on.  

In case you didn't know it, Parker Brothers, the makers of the classic game, Monopoly, held a open contest to choose which of the venable tokens of the game would be retired and replaced by a new, modern token, also to be chosen by popular vote.

So much for that.

I am just not sure what to think.  I grew up playing Monopoly.  We often scoffed at the rules and made up our own as we played.  It always seemed like a very long game, too.  But we always had fun.  I always wanted the Scotty Dog or the Thimble.  The Iron, ironically, never appealed to me.  Yet I mourn its passing.   What is that about?

Over the years Parker Brothers has found ways to make the game more relevant.  Themes like Wizard of Oz, Star Trek and city-based boards featuring Detroit, New York, Los Angeles have come and gone.  But the basic original game persisted in popularity.  It is a part of the American experience.  And should we monkey with that?  

Speaking of monkeys, the replacement for the Iron is a sweet appearing Cat.  I'm okay with the that I suppose.  It was prejudicial to only have a dog in the game.  It will all pass into history and the Cat will become part of the Monopoly lore.  

But still change is hard.  

For a complete history of the Tokens of Monopoly click here: 
http://www.worldofmonopoly.com/history/usa-tokens.php

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A new day a new token for Monopoly