Tuesday, March 15, 2011

A Brief History of the Magic 8 Ball

Ask the Magic 8 Ball a "yes' or "no" question and there you have! It might not be the answer you are looking for but it's one of the most recognized classic toys of all time.

The Magic 8 Ball did not really exist in its current form until 1950. The functional component was invented by Albert C. Carter, who was inspired by a "spirit writing" device used by his mother, Mary, a successful Cincinnati clairvoyant and medium. She supposedly revealed the future for Sherlock Holmes creator and super-natural enthusiast Arthur Conan Doyle, among other celebrities.

When store owner Max Levinson was approached by Carter about stocking the device, he called in his brother-in-law Abe Bookman, a graduate of Ohio Mechanics Institute. In 1944, Carter filed patent for his device with a few business partners. Under the name Alabe Crafts, they marketed and sold the device as The Syco-Seer. Bookman later made improvements to the Syco-Seer and in 1948, it was encased in an iridescent crystal ball. The revamped product caught the attention of Chicago's Brunswick Billiards. In 1950 they commissioned Alabe Crafts to make a version in the form of a traditional black & white 8 Ball.

There are 20 answers inside a Magic 8 Ball and here they are:

  • As I see it, yes
  • It is certain
  • It is decidedly so
  • Most likely
  • Outlook good
  • Signs point to yes
  • Without a doubt
  • Yes
  • Yes – definitely
  • You may rely on it
  • Reply hazy, try again
  • Ask again later
  • Better not tell you now
  • Cannot predict now
  • Concentrate and ask again
  • Don't count on it
  • My reply is no
  • My sources say no
  • Outlook not so good
  • Very doubtful
You can buy the Magic 8 Ball $9.95 at Pure Imagination. It's a Toy Guyz favorite along with being a really cool classic toy for all ages.

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