U is for Uno

Full series and process: 90s TOYpography
Website: noahcampdesign.com
Instagram: noahcampdesign

I love me some Uno. I especially love holding a grudge over anyone who uses skip or reverse card against me.

After having an argument with his son about Crazy 8's, Merle Robbins, a barbershop owner and card lover, invented UNO in 1971 in Reading, Ohio. He introduced the game to his family, and after they started playing the game more and more he decided to have the game printed.

His family pooled together $8,000 to have 5,000 games made, which they produced on their dining room table. Merle sold UNO from his barbershop at first. A few friends and local businesses sold them too. After the game got really popular, Merle sold the rights to a funeral parlor owner in Joliet, Illinois for $50,000 plus royalties of 10 cents per game. International Games Inc. was formed to market UNO, and sales skyrocketed. In 1992, International Games became part of the Mattel family, and UNO had a new home.