What exactly is an Oujia board?
The Ouija board, also known as a spirit board or talking board, is a flat board with letters, numbers, and other symbols printed on it. It also has a movable indicator or planchette that is placed on the board and used to spell out messages believed to be from the spirit world.
The origins of the Ouija board can be traced back to the late 19th century, when spiritualism, a belief in communicating with the dead, was popular. The Ouija board was first commercially introduced in 1890 by the Kennard Novelty Company, and it quickly gained popularity.
The Name Game: How Ouija Got Its Name
The name “Ouija” is said to come from a combination of the French and German words for “yes” (oui and ja). The board was marketed as a game that anyone could play, but it was also believed to have supernatural powers.
The story about how the Ouija board got its name is a popular legend that is often told in connection with the board’s history. According to the story, the board’s creators, Elijah Bond, Charles Kennard, and William Maupin, were trying to come up with a name for their new invention. As the story goes, they asked the board what it wanted to be called, and the board spelled out “O-U-I-J-A.” When they asked the board what the name meant, it spelled out “good luck.”
While the story is often repeated, it’s important to note that there is some debate about its accuracy. Some historians and researchers have suggested that the story may have been invented as a marketing ploy to make the board seem more mysterious and intriguing. Nevertheless, the story has become a popular part of the Ouija board’s mythology and is often referenced in popular culture.
According to historical accounts, the patent application for the Ouija board was initially rejected by the United States Patent Office, which was skeptical of the board’s claims of being able to communicate with spirits. In response, the board’s creators arranged a demonstration for the patent officers in which they used the board to accurately spell out the name of a patent officer’s deceased brother. Impressed by the demonstration, the patent officers granted the patent for the Ouija board. This story has been widely reported and is considered to be a key part of the board’s history.
From Spiritualism to the Occult: The Evolution of Ouija
During World War I, interest in spiritualism and the Ouija board declined, but it saw a resurgence in the 1960s and 70s, when it became associated with the counterculture movement and the occult. Today, the Ouija board is still used by some people as a tool for communicating with spirits or as a form of divination, while others view it as a harmless game.
However, it’s important to note that the Ouija board has also been the subject of controversy and criticism. Some people believe that it can be a portal for negative spirits or demonic entities, and there have been reports of people becoming obsessed or possessed after using it. As such, it is always recommended to use caution and approach the board with respect and reverence, if at all.
The Ouija board was patented on February 10, 1891, by Elijah Bond, a businessman and lawyer from Baltimore, Maryland. Bond filed the patent along with his business partners Charles Kennard and William H. A. Maupin, who were co-founders of the Kennard Novelty Company. The patent was assigned to the Kennard Novelty Company, which went on to manufacture and sell the boards commercially.
…and now Hasbro
Hasbro acquired the rights to the Ouija board game in 1991 when they purchased the games and puzzles division of the Parker Brothers toy company. The Parker Brothers had been manufacturing and selling the Ouija board since 1966, when they obtained the rights from William Fuld, who had been producing the board since the early 1900s. The Ouija board was originally marketed as a parlor game and a tool for communicating with the spirit world, but today it is primarily sold as a novelty item or a board game.