# How the Classic Operation Board Game Works

> A 1967 patent for an electronic game where a player uses a conductive probe to navigate a path without touching the sides, triggering a signal if they fail.

- **Patent:** US 3333846
- **Original title:** Game utilizing electric probe
- **Owner:** Glass Marvin and Associates
- **Granted:** 1967
- **Status:** Public domain (expired)
- **Times cited:** 5
- **Field:** gaming, mechanical

## What it does

The patent describes a game board featuring two parallel, electrically conductive plates separated by a gap. A path for the player is created by a series of openings in the top plate. The player uses a specialized probe—an elongated member with a spring-loaded conductive rod—to navigate these openings. If the rod touches both the top and bottom plates simultaneously, it completes an electrical circuit, which triggers an indicating signal device, such as a light or buzzer.

## What it does NOT cover

- Does not cover non-electrical games that rely purely on mechanical dexterity.
- Does not cover games that use wireless sensors or cameras to track movement.
- Does not cover games where the signal is triggered by something other than a direct electrical short between two plates.
- Does not cover games that do not use a spring-loaded probe mechanism.

## The clever bit

The invention uses a simple spring-loaded probe to ensure that the circuit only closes when the player makes a mistake, turning a basic electrical short into a core game mechanic.

## Real-world examples

1. The Operation board game

## Why it matters

This patent is the technical foundation for the iconic Operation board game, first released in 1965. It established the 'electromechanical skill game' genre, where physical precision is rewarded or penalized by simple electronic feedback. It remains a classic example of how basic circuit design can create high-stakes, engaging play.

## Frequently asked questions

### What does How the Classic Operation Board Game Works cover?

A 1967 patent for an electronic game where a player uses a conductive probe to navigate a path without touching the sides, triggering a signal if they fail.

### Who owns patent US 3333846?

Glass Marvin and Associates owns this patent, granted in 1967.

### When does this patent expire?

This patent has expired and is now in the public domain — anyone can use the invention freely.

### What is patent US 3333846 cited by?

This patent has been cited by 5 later patents that build on its ideas.

### What problem does this patent solve?

This patent is the technical foundation for the iconic Operation board game, first released in 1965. It established the 'electromechanical skill game' genre, where physical precision is rewarded or penalized by simple electronic feedback. It remains a classic example of how basic circuit design can create high-stakes, engaging play.

### What does this patent NOT cover?

Does not cover non-electrical games that rely purely on mechanical dexterity.

**Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3333846/operation-game-electric-probe

**Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US3333846

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_Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._


## Related patents

Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus:

- [How the Game Twister Works](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3454279/twister-game) — A 1966 patent for a floor-based game where players use their own bodies as game pieces on a mat with colored circles.
- [How the Board Game Monopoly Works](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2026082/monopoly-board-game) — The 1935 patent for the board game Monopoly, covering the layout of spaces and the rules for moving tokens around a track to buy and trade property.
- [How the First Home Video Game Console Worked](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3659285/video-game-console-magnavox) — Ralph Baer's 1969 patent for the Magnavox Odyssey, the first home video game system, which generated controllable dots on a standard television screen using analog circuitry.
- [How the Nintendo D-Pad Works](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4687200/nintendo-d-pad-directional) — A mechanical switch design that allows a user to control directional movement in video games using a single, tilting thumb-operated button.
- [How the Slinky Toy Works](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2415012/slinky-toy) — The original 1947 patent for the Slinky, a helical spring toy designed to walk down stairs through the transfer of energy.