The Ouija Board: Our Fascination With It and Its Origins

Many people wonder about the origins of strange myths and legends. Anything with a hint of spookiness about it is sure to titillate and entice the public. For example, take a look at popular television series today: The Ghost Whisperer, Medium, and even Scifi's Ghosthunters. The classic series Ancient Mysteries is still being shown in syndication on A&E. Nothing proves this point more than the world's fascination with the Ouija Board.

The Ouija Board is an interesting cultural artifact. While it is available at your local Toys R Us, packaged in a benign Parker Bros. box, some believe it to be a means of communicating with the dead. Some even believe, if not used properly, it could prove dangerous for its users. So, is it a simple game board or is it something truly worthy of fear and superstition?
The Ouija Board is not a recent invention and the board available for purchase today is only a reinvention of a very old psychic tool. In the late 1800’s, Spiritualism became a popular trend. People were attending séances to speak to old loved ones and “mediums” were there to collect the money of grieving mourners. When parlor tricks such as knocking on or tipping tables became old hat, a new version of communicating with the dead came about.

Mediums started using what was known as “automatic writing” to let spirits speak through them. Many gadgets were constructed, some even involving pulley systems and a pen. Eventually, people settled on a simple board and indicator. Called a “talking board”, it is what would later evolve into the Ouija Board we know today. Although he was not the inventor of the talking board, William Fuld’s name would become synonymous with them once he took over the novelty business that mass-produced them.