Connect 4, the best-known version of Four in a Row, was invented by Howard Wexler and Ned Strongin. Milton Bradley first sold it in 1974, so when people ask “when was Connect 4 invented?” or “when did it come out?”, the answer is the early 1970s, with the launch in 1974.
The big idea
Four-in-a-line games had been played on paper for a long time. The new idea was the upright frame with gravity. Dropping discs into columns meant players couldn’t place a disc anywhere, and that changed the strategy completely.
From Milton Bradley to Hasbro
Milton Bradley (sold as MB Games in the UK) launched the game in 1974. Hasbro bought Milton Bradley in 1984 and still sells Connect 4 today, along with many spin-offs.
From the table to the screen
Computer versions arrived in the 1970s and 1980s. In 1988 computer scientists proved the first player can always win with perfect play; read Is Four in a Row Solved?. Today the game is played online all over the world, including right here.
FAQ
How old is Connect 4?
It was first sold in 1974, so it’s over 50 years old.
Is Four in a Row the same game?
Yes, it’s the same classic game. Connect 4 is Hasbro’s brand name for its version; see Other Names for the Game.
Keep reading
More in The History of Four in a Row: Who Invented Four in a Row? · Four in a Row Fun Facts · Other Names for Four in a Row