It's a bit more than this... It's the father of every modern RPG. In the 70's it was such a phenomenon in the US that the usual right wing and catholic groups were worried about it. Imagine that: a game in which kids (and later, adults) *must* think by themselves, find *creative* solutions, and, (ohhh heresy) cast "fireball" spells at "dragons" (hssss hssss demonism, satanism !!! vade retro! !!)
Well like rock'n'roll or jazz or train or (more recently) computer it entered our lifes as a common and fun piece of entertainment.
Today there are many excellent RPG's that are way more mature and rich than d&d... But d&d is a classic. See how many computer games use its franchise (Eye of the Beholder, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights...)
footnote: today to be a 'satanist' one must put water in his PC... sad times.
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