Often pedagogical, card and board games of the early 19th century emphasized morality and virtue. By the end of the century, the focus had shifted to lessons on success, memory, and trivia. Game publishers such as McLoughlin Bros. also often evoked and capitalized on themes of popular culture. The tourist attraction Philadelphia Zoo, the bicycling fad of the 1890s, and the fictional works of Mark Twain engaged the players of these games, while also teaching them about the built environment of Philadelphia, the social freedoms of cycling, and requisite readings for their library.
