The Checkered Game of Life (1860)

Around 1860, Abraham Lincoln grew a beard. A young printer who had been making a living selling pictures of a beardless Lincoln no found himself without a salable product. He turned to making board games, and invented The Checkered Game of Life. Similar to Snakes and Ladders, The Checkered Game of Life has players moving on the board depicting virtues and vices. The winner of the game was the first to accumulate 100 points.

This is the long predecessor to The Game of Life which is produced by the company that bears his name.

Re-implemented by:

• The Game of Life

The original patent application from 1866, including the rules and his drawing of the board and pieces, can be seen at http://www.google.com/patents?printsec=abstract&zoom=4&pg=PP2&id=kksAAAAAEBAJ#v=onepage&q&f=false.