Alfred Mosher Butts was born on April 13, 1899, in New York. He grew up in Poughkeepsie, New York, as the son of Arrie Mosher and Allison Butts. From a young age, Butts showed a talent for creativity and innovation.
He graduated from New York's Poughkeepsie High School in 1917 and went on to study architecture. During the 1920s, Butts began his career as an architect, combining his love for design and structure.
Butts is best known for inventing the popular Scrabble board game. Originally called "Lexiko," Butts came up with the idea for the game by combining elements of crossword puzzles and anagrams. He carefully calculated the frequency of each letter in the English language to determine how many tiles of each letter should be included in the game.
Scratch went through several iterations before Butts finally landed on the iconic game we know today. In 1948, he partnered with entrepreneur James Brunot to manufacture and distribute the game, which quickly became a hit with families across the country.
Aside from his work in creating Scrabble, Butts was also an amateur artist. Several of his drawings were acquired by New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, showcasing his talent beyond game design.
Alfred Mosher Butts' legacy lives on through the enduring popularity of Scrabble. The game has been translated into numerous languages and has become a household staple around the world. Butts' innovative approach to game design paved the way for future creators to explore the possibilities of board games.
Butts' impact on the gaming world can be compared to that of Monopoly inventor Charles Darrow. Both men created wildly successful board games that have stood the test of time and continue to bring joy to people of all ages.
In addition to his contributions to the gaming industry, Butts' architectural background and artistic talents further showcase his diverse skill set and passion for creativity. His ingenuity and dedication to his craft have left a lasting mark on the world of entertainment and design.