OPERATION
THE BIRTH OF CAVITY SAM
Operation was invented by John Spinello and released by Milton Bradley in 1965. Spinello created the prototype in 1964 as an industrial design student at the University of Illinois, initially calling the game Death Valley. He sold his patent and game concept that same year to inventor Marvin Glass for just $500 and the promise of a post-graduation job that never materialized. The original Operation game was a battery-operated board game featuring the patient "Cavity Sam," whose glowing red nose accompanied a set that included tweezers, twelve removable "Funatomy" pieces, doctor cards, play money, and a rubber band. Players had to carefully remove the "Funatomy" piece shown on the card without touching the metal edges of the cavity. If a player slipped, the buzzer would sound, and Cavity Sam's nose would light up.
BATTERY-OPERATED PHENOMENON
Operation was an instant success. At the time, battery-operated games were scarce, making it a fun new innovation that quickly captured children's attention. The game's sound effects and light-up nose distinguished it from traditional board games, helping make it one of the most successful games of the 1960s. Throughout the following decades, Operation has sold more than 45 million copies worldwide and has remained a family favorite. In 1984, Hasbro acquired Milton Bradley, along with the rights to Operation, in a $360 million cash deal, merging the two companies to form the Hasbro Bradley Company. Since its original release, the Operation line has expanded to include updated editions, themed versions, and electronic improvements while preserving its classic gameplay. Today, Operation is remembered as one of the most iconic electronic board games ever created, continuing to entertain new generations of players.
