In 1989, a summer intern at Microsoft named Wes Cherry wrote a simple card game called Solitaire. Little did he know that his project would be included in Windows 3.0 and eventually become one of the most-used computer applications of all time. This is the story of how digital Solitaire moved from a programming exercise to a global phenomenon.
The Stealthy Marketing Goal: Teaching the Mouse
While Wes Cherry created Solitaire for entertainment, Microsoft saw a strategic opportunity. In 1990, the computer mouse was still a new and confusing peripheral for many office workers. Users were accustomed to keyboard-driven systems like MS-DOS.
Gamifying the User Interface
Solitaire served as a "stealth training" tool for the Windows graphical user interface (GUI). By playing the game, users learned three critical skills without even realizing they were being taught:
| Game Action | Technical Skill Learnt | UI Necessity |
|---|---|---|
| Selecting a card | Left-Clicking | Selecting items/buttons |
| Moving a card stack | Drag and Drop | Moving files and folders |
| Right-clicking (hints) | Right-Clicking | Context menus |
The Iconic "Bouncing Card" Celebration
One of the most memorable features of Microsoft Solitaire was the win animation. When a game was won, the cards would bounce off the screen in a cascading waterfall effect, leaving a visual trail behind them.
A Programming Trick
This animation was actually a result of how Windows handles window refreshing. Wes Cherry intentionally exploited the way the screen failed to clear old frames quickly, creating the "smeared" effect that defined the Solitaire victory for a generation.
Susan Kare: The Designer Behind the Cards
The aesthetic of the game was equally important. Susan Kare, the legendary artist who designed the original Macintosh icons, was commissioned to create the card deck for Solitaire. Her focus on clarity and pixel-perfect design made the game readable even on the low-resolution monitors of 1990.
Solitaire's Impact on Productivity
The game became so popular that it famously raised concerns about workplace productivity. In 1994, it was reported that Microsoft Solitaire was "the most used application for Windows," outperforming even Word and Excel.
- Global Adoption: Estimates suggest Solitaire was played over 35 billion times per year at its peak.
- No Rewards: Despite the game's success, Wes Cherry famously received no royalties for his intern project.
- The "Boss Key": The original version included a "boss key" that would instantly switch the screen to a fake spreadsheet, though Microsoft eventually insisted it be removed.
Solitaire Legacy Facts
- Wes Cherry's Career: After Microsoft, Wes left the software industry and now owns a successful cidery (Dragon's Head Cider).
- Hall of Fame: In 2019, Microsoft Solitaire was inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame.
- Accessibility: The game's simplicity and high contrast made it one of the first truly accessible "casual" games in history.
Experience the Legend
Now that you know the history, play the modern version of the game that started it all.