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Heinz History Center Welcomes 'Operation' Game Inventor To Toy & Game Exhibit

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The inventor of the popular '60s game "Operation" and his family attended the Toy and Game exhibit at Heinz History Center. 

John Spinello dreamed up the project as a college student in 1963.

"The instructor gave us a choice of making a game or a toy," he explains.

Two years later, he says he took it to big time toy manufacturer Marvin Glass.

"He took the probe and he went down from one opening to the other and the other.  And then he hit the side, a big spark flew up, and the thing rang so loud.  And he threw it up in the air and he said 'I love it, I love it!'"

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Daughter Lisa Spinello says he received $500 for a game that sold millions.

"There's never been one ounce of regret for what he got for it, because he says in his eyes he got so much more, because he watched families come together, playing it."

"You can't put a dollar figure on it," her father adds.

A new documentary called "Operation: Operation" says he was in need of major dental surgery that he was unable to pay for.  Game manufacturers and the public rallied to his side, and raised thousands of dollars to pay the bill.

His daughter sums it up. "The whole entire world came together to help him."

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