U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for April 13

WASHINGTON, April 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090226/CENSUSLOGO)

TUESDAY, APRIL 13: SCRABBLE

Profile America -- Tuesday, April 13th.  Today marks the birthday of a man whose invention gives pleasure to millions of people who probably don't know his name.  Alfred M. Butts was an unemployed architect who developed the board game Scrabble to pass the time with his friends during the Depression.  An executive with Macy's saw the game being played and his department store soon began carrying it.  Butts received three cents royalty for each game sold.  He said taxes took one cent, he gave one cent to charity, and enjoyed a good life with the rest.  Scrabble is still enjoyed in many American households.  Even in the face of modern day electronics, board games remain popular and are part of the almost $4 billion worth of games, toys, and children's vehicles sold each year.  Profile America is presented by the U.S. Census Bureau, now conducting the 2010 Census.

Sources:  

Chase's Calendar of Events 2010, p. 222

2002 Economic Census, NAICS 339932

Profile America is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look under the "Newsroom" button).  

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau