Alone each one is not worth more than 10cents. But combined they form a perfectly balanced deck containing 52 cards separated into 4 suits, which can provide hours of entertainment and occasionally even alter lives.
Cards originated in china during the 9th century but where not formed into what we know today until their evolution in France during the 14th century. The new cards evolved further with different designs constantly being brought forward. Eventually a common style was settled upon and was quickly introduced to many households around France and continued to spread worldwide. Approximately 80% of households today have the French Playing cards and play the same games that were invented by the French hundreds of years ago.
In my opinion they are the best consumer product as they are adaptable to so many games; they are compact and require nothing but themselves to have a great time. I believe that this is the reason that they have been around for hundreds of years and will most likely be around for hundreds more.
Igor Jovanovic
Great post Igor,
ReplyDeleteIt's the underlying mathematics and game construction that really back them up isn't it? The cards themselves are amazing though, so as a "system" I do agree that they're a great product.
Useless fact I learnt from VCE History:
ReplyDeleteRunning with what you were saying about the design of cards changing, during the French Revolution they actually removed the kings and queens from the deck. They replaced them with such exciting things as 'liberty' or 'equality'.
Would have been rightly confusing if you ask me...
But yeah, just goes to show how card design has changed, corresponding with whatever was important at the time.
Dael