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1929: The Year of Bingo
1929 was a momentous year in America. In February, seven rivals of Al Capone were gunned down in what would be known as the Valentines Day Massacre. In September, J.C. Penny became the first department store to open branches in every one of the then 48 states when they opened their Delaware store. And on October 29, the stock market crashed (Black Tuesday) wiping out the life savings of almost the entire American Middle Class.
Edwin Lowe Stops for Beano
With this background, a lonely toy salesman found himself on the road one night in Georgia. He was tired, hungry and worried about the future of his new toy company. No one had money to buy toys anymore. Even if they did, no one felt like playing. It was not just the economy that was depressed. Feeling sleepy, Lowe pulled over when he saw some lights around the bend. He saw a traveling carnival and figured he would grab a cup of coffee before continue his journey.
Beano
Lowe got his coffee and as he sipped, he saw an odd sight. All the game booths of the carnival had closed. All except one. The one that was still open was mobbed with people. He noticed that everyone sat around a huge horseshoe shaped table, while a guy in the middle called out numbers. Everyone had cards with numbered squared. When the caller called a number, anyone with a square with that number would place a bean over the square. When someone filled a whole row, they would yell out "Beano!" and win the game. Tension would mount as numerous people found themselves just one number away from winning. It didn't matter that all they would win was a silly carnival kewpie doll. People were addicted to the game. That's when Lowe realized that he had a potential hit on his hands.
Beano Becomes Bingo
As Lowe watched the game, he wondered what he would call a prepackaged, home version. He just didn't like the word "Beano." It reminded him of medicine he had to take for gas. Then he got his answer when a woman got so excited, she stood up and forget what she was supposed to say. Instead of yelling "Beano" she yelled out "Bingo." The word meant absolutely nothing, but it sounded great. Lowe ran back to his car already thinking how he would market his new game, the game of Bingo.
Bingo is a Hit
Lowe thought Bingo would be big, but he had no idea how big. He could not print game cards fast enough to keep up with demand. As people started playing, their moods lifted. Bit by bit, the economy got back on its feet and people rushed out to buy the famous game of Bingo. Pretty soon, every night there were Bingo games happening in every city in America. All thanks to a tired guy stopping for coffee and a woman forgetting the word "Beano."
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