History of Tic-tac-toe in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 12, 2026

Tic-tac-toe is a classic paper-and-pencil game for two players, X and O, who take turns marking spaces in a 3x3 grid. The objective is to be the first to place three of one's marks in a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal row. The game is simple yet mathematically solved; if both players perform optimally, the match will invariably end in a draw. Due to its straightforward rules and quick gameplay, it serves as an excellent introduction to game theory and basic artificial intelligence development. Played globally for centuries, it is recognized as a zero-sum game that emphasizes pattern recognition and strategic foresight.

1952: Development of OXO for EDSAC

In 1952, British computer scientist Sandy Douglas developed OXO, a digital version of tic-tac-toe, for the EDSAC computer located at the University of Cambridge, marking it as one of the earliest instances of a video game. The software allowed the computer to play perfect games against a human user.

1972: Newell and Simon's Tic-Tac-Toe Program

In 1972, Allen Newell and Herbert A. Simon developed a tic-tac-toe program that demonstrated how a player can ensure a win or at least a draw by following a specific sequence of prioritized moves.

1975: Tinkertoy computer demonstrates Tic-tac-toe

In 1975, MIT students utilized Tinkertoy elements to construct a computer capable of playing Tic-tac-toe perfectly, showcasing the computational potential of the building toy system.

1980: The Solution of Qubic

In 1980, researcher Oren Patashnik successfully solved the game Qubic, a three-dimensional variant of Tic-tac-toe played on a 4×4×4 board, proving that the first player can force a win.

2016: Google Integration of Tic-tac-toe

In 2016, Google enhanced its search engine results pages by integrating a fully playable version of Tic-tac-toe, making the classic game easily accessible to users directly through their browser.