Skip to content

OuijaOuija

You need Javascript enabled and Flash installed to view this content.

You can either install or upgrade Flash or you can view this video directly on Youtube.

  1. A Ouija board, also known as spirit board or talking board, is a flat board marked with letters, numbers, and other symbols, theoretically used to communicate with spirits.
  2. The first historical mention of something resembling a Ouija board is found in China around 1100 B.C
  3. The word 'Ouija' derives from both the French and German words for 'yes'. As such 'Ouija board' translates as 'yes yes board'.
  4. Early versions of the Ouija board used letters written on a flat surface over which a pendulum would be swung to spell out the message.
  5. A swinging pendulum is another example of the ideo-motor phenomena, the exact same way modern Ouija boards work.
  6. Further evidence of ideo-motor response with reference to Ouija boards can be found in tests that have been carried out while the participants are blindfolded. Here the messages come out as nonsense, arguably proof that the participants need to see where they are pushing the glass to.
  7. The Ouija board was first patented by Adolphus Theodore Wagner in London, January 23rd 1854.
  8. In his patent Wagner referred to the board as a 'psychograph', its purpose to read the minds of people with 'nervous energy'. It wasn't until much later that the Ouija board was claimed to contact the spirits of the dead.
  9. Instead of a glass being pushed around the Ouija board, an item called a planchette is classically used by participants.
  10. A planchette is a heart shaped wooden or plastic pointer, upon which participants place their fingers. This then moves across the Ouija board, spelling out messages.
  11. The planchette originally had space for a pencil to be inserted into the centre and was initially used for automatic writing, another mediumistic trick, before being paired with the Ouija board as a message pointer.
  12. The modern version of the Ouija board has most recently been produced and distributed by the board games company Parker Brothers.

Follow Science of Scams onFollow Science of Scams on:

myspace youtube facebook Bebo

Bookmark withBookmark with:

DeliciousDelicious DiggDigg redditreddit Facebook StumbleUponStumbleUpon