The History of Wheel of Fortune 

the concept for Wheel of Fortune originally appeared in a 1952 game show which lasted for almost one year

this show was based on good Samaritans; you had to have done a good deed to get onto the show

the good-doer and the person helped both appeared on the show

the Wheel contained cash amounts between $30-$1,000 and there were questions to answer to win the money

the show concept appeared again in 1973 and was called "Shopper's Bazaar" on the pilot episode

after few bad attempts at the show, they tried again in 1975 with Chuck Woolery as the host, Susan Stafford as the letter turner and Charlie O'Donnell as the announcer

this show replaced Art Fleming's original version of Jeopardy!

1976; shows first Tournament of Champions was held

1978; Star Bonus Wedge first appears on the Wheel

1981; The "podiums" of prizes were replaced by the famous turntable, which contained the 3 showcases of prizes contestants shopped for

1981; Pat Sajak replaced Chuck Woolery after a contract dispute

1981; official premiere of the show's bonus round

1982; Susan Stafford left the show (on good terms) and was replaced by Vanna White

1982; Jack Clark becomes the new show announcer

1988; Jack Clark passes away and MG Kelly briefly takes over the announcing duties until Charlie O'Donnell returns again

Pat Sajak always hosted the syndicated version of the show and he hosted the network daytime version until 1989

1989, Rolf Benirschke, ex-football player, took over the daytime version of the show

1989; the daytime show moved to CBS and Bob Geon hosted

1989; premiere of the kookie 'Before and After' category

1989; end of the shopping format

1991; daytime version of Wheel of Fortune cancelled

1996; popular jackpot round instituted

1997; old puzzle board replaced by electronic board

1998; the Wheel celebrates 3,000 syndicated episodes

2001; introduction of the miniature bonus round wheel

Wheel of Fortune Games 

WHEEL OF FORTUNE PLUG AND PLAY

Play at home Wheel of Fortune, be a contestant on America's beloved game show without leaving home!

Amazon Price: $34.99 (as of 08/20/2008)

Wheel Of Fortune Deluxe

2,000 puzzles created by the show's staff
Play alone, versus the PC, or versus others at the same keyboard
Earn in-game trophies and badges for high scores

Amazon Price: $9.09 (as of 08/20/2008)

Wheel of Fortune

The ultimate Wheel of Fortune experience!
Spin for fantastic fantasy prizes and solve 3,000 puzzles!

Amazon Price: (as of 08/20/2008)

Wheel Of Fortune

"Wheel-of-Fortune!" Spin the Wheel and experience the enhanced game play and vivid graphics of America's #1 game show!

Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 08/20/2008)

Pat Sajak's Lucky Letters Deluxe

Win 5 in a row to play in the Championship Game
Over 30,000 different clues and answers

Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 08/20/2008)

Who is your favorite Wheel of Fortune Personality? 

More Wheel of Fortune Games 

Wheel of Fortune Board Game

This 20th Anniversary Edition plays similarly to the actual game show: take turns spinning the wheel and asking for letters.

Amazon Price: $13.98 (as of 08/20/2008)

The Simpson's Wheel of Fortune Game

The Simpson's Edition Wheel of Fortune Game gives you the wheel spinning, consonant calling, vowel buying excitement of Wheel of Fortune.

Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 08/20/2008)

Wheel of Fortune Tiger Cartridge #8

Wheel of Fortune Cartridge for Tiger's HandHeld System

Amazon Price: (as of 08/20/2008)

Vintage Wheel of Fortune Videos 

Wheel of Fortune speed-up round from 1978

Runtime: 3:42
79911 views
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Wheel of Fortune Daytime

Runtime: 9:27
50986 views
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Wheel of Fortune - Promo - 1984

Runtime: 0:30
38328 views
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Wheel of Fortune Apparel & Accessories 

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Wheel of Fortune Collectible Ornament 

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Wheel of Fortune Pinball Games 

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Knuckleheads on Wheel of Fortune 

Wheel Of Fortune Idiot

Runtime: 0:54
202003 views
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Wheel Of Fortune MORONS!

Runtime: 0:39
34550 views
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Wheel of Fortune Watches, Keychains & More! 

Very unique gift for Wheel fans

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Wheel of Fortune Scrapbook 

Past & Present

Wheel of Fortune ~ Pat & Vanna Autographed 

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Wheel of Fortune Collectible Watch 

Wheel Of Fortune Collectible WATCH w Bonus Tin Case- Licensed Collector's Edition

This watch is an Officially Licensed Collector's Edition and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity (included in box).

Amazon Price: (as of 08/20/2008)

The Shopping Format 

Who doesn't miss the shopping format?
I sure do! The contestants head just floating around all the lame prizes. You could always tell when they really didn't want any of the prizes offered and would rather have just taken the cash. Or, the best was when they set up the entire floating head thing and the contestant didn't even have enough money to buy one prize! They would say, "I think I'll put it on gift certificate". We'll, of course you will, you don't have enough money to buy anything for goodness sakes. How about the times when the contestant couldn't make up their mind or couldn't add and the host would start making suggestions for them. Boy, do I miss that. That was retro television at it's best. Wheel of Fortune executives, if you are reading this, please bring back the shopping format!

Wheel of Fortune Vanna Dolls 

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Limited Edition Vanna White Dolls 

Limited Edition Vanna White in the USA Fashion Doll

11.5 inches tall
Vanna White Doll
Limited edition
USA

Amazon Price: (as of 08/20/2008)

Limited Edition Vanna White In Aspen Fashion Doll

Vanna White Doll
11.5 inches tall
In Aspen

Amazon Price: (as of 08/20/2008)

More Wheel of Fortune Videos 

Wheel Of Fortune - Who needs letters?

Runtime: 1:06
443572 views
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Are you a Wheel of Fortune fan? 

Susan52 Love it! Love the show. I had forgotten about the shopping format, way back when. Ah, technology. Super lens! Posted November 10, 2007

Mark-Nehs Well done. I didn't know Wheel of Fortune had such a long history!! Well done. Posted November 10, 2007

SemperFidelis Super job on this lens Janet. Looks like you covered everything. Very thorough. 5* Posted November 08, 2007

GypsyPirate Oh-ma-gosh, you've found some awesome memories here. Chuck Woolery rocks! Posted November 08, 2007