Timeline of Poker

A brief history of U.S. Playing Card:

• 1867 -- Established in downtown Cincinnati as Russell, Morgan & Co., a printing firm.

• 1881 -- Printed first deck of playing cards, including the "Congress" brand, still in production.

• 1894 -- Split into two divisions: the U.S. Printing Co. and U.S. Playing Cards.

• 1900 -- Moves to 600,000-square-foot plant in Norwood.

• 1941-45 -- During World War II, the company prints gift decks for prisoners in German prison camps. When moistened, the cards reveal escape routes from the camps.

• 1986 -- Acquired Heraclio Fournier, S.A., the largest card maker in Europe.

• 1994 -- After a series of ownership changes, Cincinnati managers and investors assume control.

• 2004 -- Purchased for $232 million by Jarden Corp. of Rye, N.Y.