Black and White Ouija Board

Ouija – The Talking Board of the Unknown (1890)

First patented in 1890 by Elijah Bond and later mass-produced by Parker Brothers, the Ouija board blurs the line between parlor game and paranormal ritual. Marked with letters, numbers, and the words “yes,” “no,” and “goodbye,” it uses a heart-shaped pointer — the planchette — that seemingly moves on its own to spell messages from beyond.

Once a popular spiritualist pastime, the Ouija board has evolved into a powerful cultural symbol — equal parts mystery and menace. From Victorian séances to Hollywood horror, it has become shorthand for humanity’s enduring desire to speak with the unknown.

While scientists attribute its movement to the ideomotor effect — unconscious micro-movements by the participants — others insist it opens a genuine gateway to the spirit world. Whatever the truth, the Ouija board endures as a captivating relic of fear, faith, and the eternal need to believe in something more.