Kostenlose Online Solitär-Spiele

From Napoleonic times to your browser • 8 min read

Solitaire has been entertaining people for over 200 years. From European nobility to modern-day office workers, this simple card game has captivated millions. Here's its fascinating story.

Origins: Where Did Solitaire Come From?

The exact origins of solitaire are unclear, but most historians believe it emerged in Northern Europe (Germany or Scandinavia) in the late 18th century. The game spread to France, where it became known as "Patience" — a name still used in many countries.

Timeline of Solitaire History

1783 — First known written rules of solitaire appear in German game anthology
1800s — Napoleon Bonaparte allegedly plays solitaire during exile on St. Helena
1870 — First English-language solitaire book published
1890s — Klondike variant emerges during Yukon Gold Rush
1990 — Microsoft includes Solitaire in Windows 3.0
2000s — Online solitaire games become popular
Today — Billions of solitaire games played online annually

The Microsoft Effect

In 1990, Microsoft included Solitaire in Windows 3.0. The goal? To teach users how to drag and drop with a mouse. This decision made Klondike solitaire the most-played computer game in history.

By some estimates, more time has been spent playing Microsoft Solitaire than any other computer program—billions of hours!

Why "Klondike"?

The most popular solitaire variant is called Klondike, named after the Klondike region in Canada's Yukon. During the 1890s Gold Rush, prospectors played this game in mining camps. The name stuck.

Solitaire Around the World

Fun Facts