The game's prototype was invented in 1964 by John Spinello, a University of Illinois industrial design student at the time, who sold his rights to the game to renowned toy designer Marvin Glass for a sum of $500 US and the promise of a job upon graduation (a promise that was not upheld). Initially produced by Milton Bradley in 1965, "Operation" is currently made by Hasbro, with an estimated franchise worth of $40 million US.

The object of the game "Operation" is to carefully remove various parts from "Cavity Sam", the cartoon patient, without hitting a buzzer mechanism due to unsteady hands. Most of the ailments have cheeky wordplay names and while you won't find one called "Bee's Knees," you will find one called "Water on the Knee" (a bucket of water), or "Adam's Apple" (an apple in the throat), "Writer’s Cramp" (represented by a tiny plastic pencil), and "Butterflies in the Stomach" (you get the idea).

Each player takes a turn as Sam’s doctor, using a pair of tweezers to try to remove the plastic piece for each ailment. Dexterity is key. If the tweezers touch the side of the opening, it closes a circuit, causing the red bulb that is Sam’s nose to light up and a buzzer to sound. Your turn is then over. The game’s main flaw, at least from the patient’s perspective, is that it’s more fun to lose your turn than to play perfectly.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org