Introduced to the United States in 1922, the Chinese game of mahjongg took hold of Americans within a year with millions of enthusiastic followers. Women of mahjongg clubs donned silk kimonos to play in proper attire while the game became the staple form of entertainment within fraternity houses and dormitories. By 1923, mahjongg sets were outselling radios, and American entreprenuers quickly jumped on the bandwagon. Chicago meat packers sent bones to China for carving. Sets were sold at prices ranging from a few dollars to $500. American novices paid for rulebooks and Chinese Americans to teach them the ritziest game of the 20s.
|
