In the early 1960s, John Spinello sold Hasbro the rights to his “Operation” board game for $500. Now, over 40 years later, the franchise started by Spinello is worth an estimated $40 million–and the toy company has found a new way of saying thanks.
Spinello’s friends Tim Walsh and Peggy Brown have been crowdfunding on ILoveOperation and Crowdrise to help the 77-year-old inventor afford a costly medical operation. The campaign reached its $25,000 goal earlier this week, catching the attention of Hasbro; the toy company is now purchasing Spinello’s Operation prototype for what The Hollywood Reporter describes as “an undisclosed amount.”
Here’s a statement from Hasbro about their new acquisition:
We were moved to see the recent outpouring of support from so many fans of the Operation game around the world regarding the medical needs of the game’s original inventor […] Yesterday, we informed Mr. Spinello that Hasbro plans to purchase the prototype with the hope that the funds will help to defray his medical costs. We plan to proudly display it at Hasbro’s global headquarters in Pawtucket, RI, to honor his contribution to Hasbro’s gaming history.
Spinello’s wife told ABCNews,
It [the prototype] will have a happy home in their museum. That’s where it belongs […] As for medical costs – everything that is contributing to the success of the campaign is going to make life easier for John [Spinello] and what he needs medically. We feel positive about Hasbro purchasing the prototype – we’re very happy about it.
(Image via ILoveOperation)
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