Board Game Originally Called "Criss Cross": Scrabble's Evolution

Scrabble.

• 1931: Alfred Butts invents Lexiko (tile-based word game, no board).
• 1938: Adds board, renames Criss-Cross Words.
• 1948: James Brunot buys rights, simplifies rules, trademarks Scrabble.
• 1952: Macy's orders 1,000 sets → national phenomenon.

So: Lexiko → Criss-Cross Words → Scrabble.