The Ouija board is an alphabet board with a pointer used for various forms of divination and/or spirit contact. The Ouija board dates back to ancient times. In China before the birth of Confucius, similar instruments were used to communicate with the dead. In Greece divination was done with a table that moved on wheels to point to signs, which were interpreted as revelations from the "unseen world." The rolling table was used through the nineteenth century. Other such devices were used by the ancient Romans as early as the third century A.D., and in the thirteenth century by the Mongols. Some Native Americans used "squdilatc boards" to find missing objects and persons, and obtain spiritual information.

In 1853 the planchette came into use in Europe.The Ouija enjoyed enormous popularity during and after World War I, when many people were desperate to communicate with loved ones killed in the war and Spiritualism was in a revival.The modern occult origin of this "parlor game" is specifically designed to contact the spirit world. Its recent development began with prominent French spiritualist, M. Planchette in 1853 and, in 1899 was bought by William Fuld, an inventor interested in spiritism.

The first real Ouija board was invented towards the end of the nineteenth century. There is considerable disagreement as to who actually invented it - names mentioned include Elijah Bond, E.C. Reiche and Charles Kennard. The first patent for the new form of talking board was filed in 1890 and listed Elijah Bond as the inventor with Charles W. Kennard and William H. A. Maupin as assignees.

Charles Kennard and associates formed the Kennard Novelty Company and began to produce and sell Ouija Boards commercially.

In 1966 the rights to Ouija Board production were sold to Parker Brothers who retain them to this day. It is interesting - if slightly depressing - to think that what began as a tool for spiritualists, psychics and mediums you can today buy over the net as a glow-in-the-dark children's toy.