Whot
Whot was invented by William Henry Storey in 1935. It comes from the days when friends and family played indoor games by the fireside.
Whot comes from the days when friends and family played indoor games by the fireside, enjoying hours of pleasure in each other’s company. The game was invented by William Henry Storey in 1935. It was first marketed by W. H. Storey & Co of Croydon but was soon acquired by Waddingtons.
Above: Whot card game manufactured by John Waddington Ltd with rules booklet published by W. H. Storey & Co. Ltd., 24 Dingwall Road, Croydon, c.1935.
Above: Whot card game manufactured by John Waddington Ltd for the Royal National Institute for the Blind. Each card is embossed with its Braille representation. Unfortunately, the embossing goes right through the cards so that a sighted person can read the back of each card like any other marked pack. Not much use for a blind person playing cards with the sighted! Whot was popular in Britain in the 1950s and 60s and Waddingtons continued to sell it until the 1990s. It is distributed today by Winning Moves UK.
William Henry Storey patented several appliances for games, including playing card cases, board games, tile racks, etc. during the 1930s and '40s.
By Simon Wintle
Spain • Member since February 01, 1996
I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.
Activity for Whot
Sign in to comment or save this article.
Related Articles
Learning to play Cribbage
I learned to pay cribbage when I was very young, aged around six or seven.
Waddingtons Nursery Rhymes
Nursery rhyme playing cards by Waddingtons, Leeds, UK, 1975.
Radio Banker
Radio Banker by John Waddington Ltd for Marconiphone Co Ltd.
Beaver!
The Game of Beaver designed by G E Studdy and published by John Waddington Ltd in 1927.
My Word
My Word “The last word in card games” designed by Michael Kindred and Malcolm Smith, published in 19...
Crown the Queen
Crown the Queen card game invented by Elaine Burton, c.1953.
Pooltella
Pooltella cards by John Waddington Ltd, the cards that simplify football pool forecasts, 1930s.
Have A Go
Have A Go card game published by Photo-Briton Ltd featuring photographs of waxwork figures from Mada...
Bobs y’r Uncle
“Bobs y'r Uncle” nursery rhyme card game designed by Frank H. Simpson for John Waddington Ltd. in 19...
Strip Tease
‘Strip Tease’ card game featuring characters involved in the performance and subsequent prosecution ...
Cheers & Tears
Cheers & Tears by John Waddington Ltd, 1963.
Ferguson Happy Families
Ferguson Happy Families card game was produced by Ferguson Electronics and printed by John Waddingto...
Dartex
Dartex, the Thrilling New Card Game of Skill (1938) based on the traditional pub game where darts ar...
John Waddington Ltd, early type
John Waddington Ltd, early type Ace of Spades and court cards, 1922-30.
Most Laughable Thing on Earth
The Most Laughable Thing on Earth, or, A Trip to Paris published by H. G. Clarke & Co., London, c.18...
Waddington’s “Rural England” Series, 1933
Waddington’s "Rural England" Series, 1933.
Waddington’s “Envoy“ Series
Waddington’s “Envoy“ Series.
Waddington’s Varsity Series
Waddington’s Varsity Series.
Waddington’s Old Master Series, 1933
Waddington’s Old Master Series, 1933
Waddington’s Classic and Wildlife Series, 1933
Waddington’s Classic and Wildlife Series, 1933.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
