Merle Robbins, a barber from Reading, Ohio, invented the card game UNO in 1971.

Quick Scoop

  • Inventor: Merle Robbins, an American barber who loved playing cards with his family.
  • When: The game was created in 1971, inspired by arguments over the rules of Crazy Eights.
  • Where: Developed at his home in Reading, Ohio, with decks first made on the family dining room table.
  • Family project: Robbins’ wife and son helped design and assemble the first 5,000 UNO decks, funded by mortgaging their home.
  • What happened next: He initially sold UNO from his barbershop and through local businesses, then sold the rights to International Games, which was later acquired by Mattel.

In short, if you’re wondering who invented UNO, the credit goes to Merle Robbins and his family turning a simple rules dispute into one of the world’s most popular card games.

TL;DR: UNO was invented by barber Merle Robbins in 1971 in Ohio, as a spin on Crazy Eights to settle family rule arguments.

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