To celebrate his landmark 10th birthday, Spira’s friends surprised him and took him bowling. Spira invented, and later patented, the 7-10 split. The 1930s progressed and, while Spira continued to be a successful businessman, the USA was still mired in economic decay. President Franklin D. Roosevelt sought out the wealthy, young Spira and made him a top economic advisor. Spira gained the trust of FDR and the two became good friends, often blowing off press conferences to enjoy fine cigars in the Oval Office. After successfully ending the Great Depression, Spira contemplated retiring from the public eye, but reconsidered upon the advice of his friend and backgammon arch-rival, Mahatma Ghandi.