Popular Science's history isn't all flying cars and geodesic domes. Readers of the past liked to have fun, too! Unfortunately, their opportunities to do so, as far as we can tell, were somewhat limited.
See the gallery.An 1892 issue of the magazine spells out the purpose of games, in case you didn't know: “They afford needful relaxation to the mind, pleasant diversions to the invalid and afflicted, promoting acquaintance and fellowship.”
Here are ten games that range from mildly exciting to about as fun as sorting laundry (literally--see "Wash Day" from 1931). Nearly all of these articles came with DIY instructions. Would you still play Scrabble if you had to carve each piece yourself?
Five amazing, clean technologies that will set us free, in this month's energy-focused issue. Also: how to build a better bomb detector, the robotic toys that are raising your children, a human catapult, the world's smallest arcade, and much more.


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My family created a board game in the 1980's. It was about Global domination of nuclear warfare. Please check it out here, and you can still buy it. There is a small underground group that still plays it from all my friends and family to tons of people that bought an original version in the 80's. Get in on the action!
www.newearthgames.741.com/main.html