How the Game Twister Works

A 1966 patent for a floor-based game where players use their own bodies as game pieces on a mat with colored circles.

What it covers

The patent describes a game mat featuring a grid of colored circles arranged in rows and columns. A spinner determines which body part—left hand, right hand, left foot, or right foot—a player must place on a specific color. The players themselves act as the game pieces, maneuvering their bodies to occupy the designated spots without falling or touching the mat with other parts of their bodies.

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover games played on a board with physical figurines or tokens.
• —Does not cover digital or video game versions of the concept.
• —Does not cover the specific color arrangement or the exact number of circles on the mat.

The clever bit

The innovation was shifting the game piece from an external object to the player's own body, forcing physical coordination and social proximity as the primary mechanics.

Why it matters

This patent protected the core mechanics of Twister, one of the most recognizable party games in history. It turned the player into the game board, creating a unique physical interaction that was initially controversial but became a cultural phenomenon.

Real-world examples

• 1.Twister board game