What year was the game of Mah-jongg created? And who invented it?

Question

What year was the game of Mah-jongg created? And who invented it?

Answer 1

Both answers are unknown.  Since there is no patent (or equivalent), you would then have to do some historical research.  In 1895, American anthropologist, Stewart Culin, mentioned the game in a paper, so we know it is at least that old.  The origins are hotly debated.  The three most prevalent theories are that army officers created it in Taiping Rebellion, that a Shanghai noble created it during the 1870's, but the prevailing consensus is that it came into existence as a hybrid of games like Ma Tiae and Ya Pei somewhere in the Ningpo region of China sometime around 1850.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

I am not sure, but my mom played it in the 1940's, if that helps

Answer 3

The computer version was created by Brodie Lockard in 1981!

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