Invented by Alfred Mosher Butts, a New York architect, in the early 1900’s.
Was originally called Lexico, then later called Criss Cross Words.
Trademarked as SCRABBLE in 1948
Was "discovered" by the president of MACEY’S while on vacation.
https://thewordsaboutus.wordpress.com/2016/01/02/word-play/
