Today we farewell one of the iconic Monopoly pieces, the iron.
 |
| Iron out, Cat in |
In a marketing coup, Monopoly has had the internet world abuzz for weeks while anyone with access and the desire has had their say in determining which of the iconic pieces is to be replaced.
People from 185 countries (Monopoly is being sold in 111), have taken part.
 |
| Considered options for a new Monopoly token |
The choice was clear. A toy robot, a guitar, a helicopter a diamond ring and a cat, all vying for the opportunity to pass 'Go' for the first time.
"While we're a bit sad to see the iron go, the cat token is a fantastic choice by the fans and we have no doubt it will become just as iconic as the original tokens," said Eric Nyman, from game maker Hasbro.
The cat, which has no name, received 31% of votes for new tokens.
"We know that cat lovers around the world will be happy to welcome the new cat token into the Monopoly game."
So what of the history of the Monopoly tokens.
research links
abc article
hasbrotoys
straightdope
Here's the official line straight from Hasbro, current copyright holder for Monopoly:
With the tokens serving as such an important part of the game experience, it's hard to imagine the game without them. However, the first game produced in 1935 did not include tokens. Charles Darrow, who originally brought the game to Parker Brothers, recommended that players use household items like buttons and pennies to move around the board.
 |
| Hasbro Toys Australia |
Parker Brothers decided to include mover-tokens in the game. The edition produced from 1935-36 included four small wax wood pieces, or pawns. In 1937 Parker Brothers, determined to preserve the game''s tradition, decided to produce die-cast metal tokens that were reminiscent of objects found in households across America. This decision marked the introduction of the flatiron, purse, lantern, car, thimble, shoe, top hat, and the rocking horse. The top hat was modeled after the chapeau of the game's Chairman of the Board, Mr. Monopoly, and the car, his 1930s roadster.
Two additional tokens, the battleship and the cannon, were also added in 1937. They were used at the time, in another Parker Brothers game called Conflict, which made it easy to add this pair to the Monopoly game. These 10 tokens--flatiron, purse, lantern, car, thimble, shoe, top hat, rocking horse, battleship and cannon--were used until 1942.
With World War II came a metal shortage in the United States. As a result, during the years 1943-47, Monopoly games contained tokens made out of wood. Shortly after the end of World War II the metal tokens were brought back to the game.
The early 1950s brought the addition of three new tokens and the departure of three original tokens. The lantern, purse and rocking horse were replaced by the dog (Mr. Monopoly's dog, Scotty), the wheelbarrow and the horse and rider. These three MONOPOLY game tokens still exist in the classic edition.
So the tokens were not designed to signify anything by the game's designer who wanted people to use tokens from around the house. Many people carry out this tradition, either by using coins for missing tokens or borrowing tokens from other games.
 |
| From February 5, 2013, the iron will no longer be included among the playing pieces. |
abc article
hasbrotoys
straightdope