March 18th, 2019: War Time Pack

[xoxoxoBruce]

During the Big One, WW II, the Brits were inconvenienced. Little things like rockets and bombs falling out of the sky, rationing &
shortages on everything, evacuating their children, and killing their pets.

Even John Waddington suffered, having to redesign the Monopoly game. It was called a War Time Pack, using non-essential
materials, and new rules to shorten the game in case of a short air raid.

All of the currency and playing cards were printed on cheaper stock and the famous game pieces were replaced with cardboard cutout versions that were affixed to the top of pieces of wood. Even the rules were revised for quicker gameplay. A time limit? Madness!

Perhaps the coolest alteration was the spinner that replaced the dice. The design is simple and effective.

The quality of the ‘chance’ and ‘community chest’ cards were reduced and the houses and hotels were simplified.

This too shall pass, have a cuppa.

Most interestingly, special POW editions of the ‘War Time Pack’ were produced by John Waddington Ltd., and distributed by fake charities to try to help Allied Forces escape. Secret maps printed on cloth or silk (they don’t make noise, could get wet and be stuffed easily), escape tools and other useful information about the war were hidden inside the actual box and even the board itself.

But that's a story for another day.

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