Password

Password Game

Based upon a popular television game show in the United States in the 1960s, this version of the Password boxed game was issued in 1964. It is labeled "Volume 4" (photograph on the left). It was donated to the Museum in 1982.

Milton Bradley in the United States (and under license, Somerville Industriesin Canada), published the game. The first version of the boxed game was issued in 1962. "Volume 3", was issued in 1963, along with a "Fine Edition" and also a "Collectors Edition". These latter editions featured different shaped boxes and designs.

A "Volume 5" was issued in 1964. "Volume 6" issued in 1966 was donated to the Museum in 1991.

According to Alfonzo Smith, a  collector of games derived from television programs, Password is a word association game... the object is to get a partner to say a target word, the Password, based on a one word clue.

Most of the "Volume" editions were similar in design and contents. The game included a "spinner" (lower right in the photograph) which includes the numbers one through 10. According to Smith, this device is "...the indicator of which round is being played and the value of the word should a player guess the word."

Two dark blue plastic card holders were used to hold the game cards and "filter" their contents. A slit at the top of the holders enabled the "word" to be exposed. The 36 rectangular game cards (upper right in the photograph) were overprinted with words and numbers. A "score pad" (center top of photograph) completed the parts included in the box. The game was played by two players - loosely based upon the manner in which the game was played on the television game show.

Last update April 10, 2006