O is for Operation Game

Full series and process: 90s TOYpography
Website: noahcampdesign.com
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Operation is a battery-operated game of physical skill that tests players' hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. The red-nosed patient actually has a name, and it is "Cavity Sam.“ Poor Sam.

John Spinello invented the board game in 1964 and sold the rights to toy designer Marvin Glass for just $500 and the promise of a job when he graduated from the University of Illinois. The job never materialized but Spinello, then in his 20s, did finally receive a check for $500. The game was then sold to Milton Bradley which produced the first version of Operation in 1965. Now owned by Hasbro, Operation has made $40 million for its owners.

This brings me to an important tangent. This is a really great example of how important it is to know how valuable your creation is to the company or individual you are selling it to. Exposure or the promise of future work is not compensation, so cover your butts. Always ask what your creation will be used for. In other words, know your usage rights, people! End tangent.

I leave you with the operation theme song lyrics:

You got a charlie horse… OPERATION!
A broken heart, of course… OPERATION!
A writer’s cramp it’s true… OPERATION!
I’m the doctor for you!

Water on the knee… OPERATION!
A thousand dollar fee… OPERATION!
A spare rib or two… OPERATION!
I’m the doctor for you!

You’re welcome.