Operation inventor John Spinello can’t afford his own surgery

IT WAS the game which was all the buzz while we were growing up and has gone on to make millions. But the man behind Operation hasn’t seen a cent of it.

IT WAS the iconic game which was all the buzz while we were busy growing up and has gone on to make millions of dollars.

But the man behind classic board game Operation sold the patent for just $500, and hasn’t seen any of that money.

Now John Spinello needs a little help to fund a surgery of his own.

The creator of the world famous game, now 77, has revealed he’s struggling to pay his bills and needs to undergo a $25,000 surgical procedure which he is not insured for.

Now two fellow toy creators have launched a crowd-funding page for the man who brought the famous game into the world.

Friends Tim Walsh and Peggy Brown have created the page to raise the money needed for the Mr Sinello’s surgery and expenses.

So far more than $4300 has been raised towards the goal.

“You may not know John, but you certainly know the game he created,” the video on his Crowdrise page begins.

Speaking about how he invented the game as a university student working on a toy project, Mr Spinello reveals how he spoke to a big toy developer who initially didn’t seem that excited about his box-type maze.

The Illinois man reveals how he pitched the idea for his game.

“I developed a plate with a box that made noise and down the road I came in touch with a toy developer, probably the biggest one in the city of Chicago or in the universe,” he said.

He began to explain the game to a man behind the desk who didn’t share his enthusiasm for the project — even rolling his eyes as he explained how it worked.

But that all changed once the device sparked and buzzed to life.

“It went ‘BLATTT’ and a spark jumped out of the stylus,” Spinello said. “He threw (sic) up in the air and says, ‘I love it! I love it’”

Spinello sold the concept as a 20-year-old university student in return for the promise of $500 and a guaranteed job at a toy comany.

Who didn’t own one of these as a kid?

But while the money eventually came to him, no job offer ever eventuated.

The game rights were sold to toy designer Marvin Glass, who had promised Spinello a job after graduation.

Operation was then licenced to toy giant Milton Bradley before being modified and released a year later.

It was then sold to Hasbro Games, which continues to produce it, TribLocal reported.

The iconic game has made more than $40 million since it was invented, according to The Huffington Post.

“He offered me $500 for the concept and the promise of a job upon graduation,” Spinello said of his idea.

“At this time I was short of cash and I hadn't completed my last year at school. I didn’t feel the pressure because I had a guaranteed job at a major toy company.

“I did get the two checks eventually. I had to call for them.”

John Spinello, pictured with wife Madeline.

Friend Tim Walsh said because of the deal he struck as a student, Spinello wasn’t entitled to royalties even though over the years hundreds of millions of people have enjoyed his game.

But as fellow friend Peggy Brown explained, Mr Spinello isn’t bitter at all, and he now tries to celebrate his invention however he can.

“Much has changed in 50 years” the pair say.

“John has had a good life, but has admitted to us that he is struggling to pay his bills and is in need of a medical procedure without sufficient insurance coverage. We launched this Crowdrise fundraiser to call on anyone who has ever played and loved Operation to send John a note and maybe, a monetary gift of appreciation.”

They have also asked for game fans to check out ILoveOperation.com, which is selling copies of Operation personally signed by Spinello.