Tuesday, January 25, 2011

America Loves Scrabble

If Alfred Butts were alive today he'd be amazed to see all the uses people have found for his little wooden alphabet tiles. Mr. Butts was a depression era, out of work architect who decided to try his luck at inventing a board game that had the look and feel of a crossword puzzle. His original title "Criss and Cross" was soon changed to the now very familiar term "Scrabble".  Over 120 million sets of "Scrabble" have been manufactured since 1948.


Today, the familiar little "Scrabble" tile has found itself incorporated into lots of different applications from jewelry to card making and scrapbooking, as structural components in model making and art elements in collage and assemblage.


Here in our house, we rarely get the old game board out and prefer to gather around the table playing a cut-throat game of "Speed Scrabble" with the little wooden tiles.  The kids would rather play electronically. No matter how you decide to play... it's clear we Americans have had a long term fascination with the little wooden alphabet tiles Mr. Butts design in the 1930's.

You could even spend a little time today doing a little something you know you love. Play Scrabble.

14 comments:

  1. I love to play Scrabble, and would also love to find some old scrabble tiles to fill an apothacay jar!

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  2. Hi Edythe,
    Thanks for stopping and becoming a follower of my blog. I love scrabble but didn't know any of the history! Great post. Checked out your shop of vintage goodies on etsy. Love it.
    leslie

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  3. I have no one here to play scrabble with. It is a crying shame. :)

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  4. I love Scrabble. I remember feeling like we'd really hit the big time when we got the revolving game board edition. Many hours of family fun!

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  5. That is one wonderful game that has been around for years and still hold its popularity.

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  6. I haven't played for a long time. I have a game but no partner.

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  7. Oh you gave me some great ideas for the tiles. We usually play on the computer--not the same though as having a group with the orig. game. Great history.
    Ann

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  8. I just love scrabble. My hubby can't spell so I always win. I just read your post about the gloves. Sigh...where have the good days gone?

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  9. Can you believe I have never ever actually played Scrabble. I do own the game though. I bought it in case people come over and we want to play it. Maybe I'll drag it out and give it a try. There's got to be a reason it's been around for so long.

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  10. We love scrabble!Such a great game. That Valentine card is such a cute idea!

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  11. I love scrabble - but I love those wooden tiles the most ! Very tactile

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  12. Isn't it amazing how long this game has been around?

    Jocelyn
    http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

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  13. I love scrabble, that's why I used the tiles in my blog header. My best friend and I even played in a tournament a few years ago. We used to get together to play all the time, but now she's back at work so we rarely play. Thanks for the follow.
    Take Care-Carrie

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  14. I do love playing scrabble..since i was 8 years old my mom taught me how to play it, it can enhance my memory and i can encounter new words which i would look in the dictionary if i don't know the meaning of it.

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