The Kennard Novelty Company first manufactured the boards for consumer use.  The patent on the games is dated February 10, 1891, as it isn't a recent idea by any means.  A year later, William Fuld, a former employee of the novelty company, virtually copied the invention exactly.  The Kennard Company went under, leaving Fuld with all proceeds of the talking board.

History records home-made versions as early as the 1880's in America and even earlier in Europe, which used a basic planchette similar to that which is included with modern talking boards.  The only difference in the creations is that the much older ones had a small hole for a pencil, and then the user's hand was guided by spirits to write out the message, rather than the letters being pointed to.  The popularity grew, and it was as all-American as apple pie, even to the extent that the May 1, 1920 edition of the Saturday Evening Post depicted a couple playing the Ouija Board.

From the atom to the universe beyond our galaxy, mysteries of what lies beyond have plagued human-kind and driven our curiosity.  This process of seeking answers, called divination, has varied in form from throwing bones to scrying mirrors.  Just as sure as we're curious, we often shy away from certain things because some misinformed person labels the item in question as evil, wrong or bad.  We, as people, tend to go overboard most of the time.

Parker Brothers (now Hasbro, and owners of the Ouija brandname) had the boards in homes across America from 1966 to 1972.  The Exorcist changed it all.  The horror hit had everyone and their dog convinced that they'd become possessed and spew pea soup.  Suddenly, it's a thing to convey messages from malevolent spirits, a tool of the devil.  Every so often a movie gets released to remind us.  Witchboard, while filled with bad acting and cheesy dialogue, revolves around the board and the evil spirit connected to it, which tricks the addicted user into 'letting it out.'

Many are fans of the hit television series, Charmed.  The writers of that show deserve applause and commendations for not delving deeper into this Hollywood faux pax.  I've seen their exquisite board in use on a few different episodes, and it has never been used as a vehicle for evil spirits, but only as a talking board.

The Spiritualist Theory would likely have you performing an elaborate cleansing ritual before lighting a certain colored candle, prior to use of the board.  On one hand, some believe most spirits to be harmless with something they wish to share.  Others agree that true contact can take place, but that most are malevolent tricksters, bent on causing emotional damage or even death.  Their proof lies in the stories that run a distinct parallel to urban legends.  Like the movies, it's entertaining, if nothing else.

On the scientific side of things, many explanations have been offered.  Among these -- auto-suggestion, self-delusion, telekinesis, and telepathy.  Auto-suggestion and self-delusion can both be likened to subconscious activity.  And if telepathy and telekinesis are possible, then why not contact with spirits?  One doesn't even need a talking board or crystal ball for such a feat.  People use Tarot cards, tea leaves, and a wide variety of items for communication with another realm for readings.  A Ouija board puts the tool in an easy-to-use form for the layman.

The Ouija has always been a means to contact the other side.  Allegedly, Kennard got the name from the board by using it himself.  He said 'ouija' is an Egyptian expression for good luck, which is why they're also called Egyptian Luck Boards.  Additionally, it's the word 'yes' in two different languages:  French (oui) and German (ja).  Rumor spreaders have long said that 'ouija' is a word to summon the dead, conjure an evil entity, or the name of some demon.  Even if that were true, the name of the game isn't chanted while awaiting contact, so woe to the conspiracy theorists.

Other superstitions abound, causing many to be wary of the talking board:

• Don't use during a storm or any kind of eclipse.
• Never let a spirit go through all the numbers or all the letters of the alphabet, or they could escape from the board.
• If you use while ill, you're vulnerable for possession.
• A board will scream if you burn it.
• Anyone who hears the scream will die within hours.
• Never leave the planchette on a board not being used.
• If a planchette falls, a spirit will get loose.
• Each board has it's own spirit.

While a storm or eclipse will heighten the experience, you're no more at risk than any other time.  And, if you're ill, you shouldn't be playing any games.  You should be resting!  The screaming is an urban legend.  The boards themselves are not spirits, evil or otherwise, nor are they a prison for spirits -- they're merely a means.

Think of them as a telephone.  It's a way the spirits can talk to you.  It's not a gateway, just as the phone isn't.  If you drop the receiver or punch all the buttons, nothing happens -- except for the irritated caller asking why you're being an idiot.  You probably should put the board away when not in use.  It's good housekeeping etiquette, and you paid money for it, so keep it in good condition.

The boards don't come with a built-in spirit, so there is no unique one for each unique board.  Follow the instructions and exercise caution.  There is no sure-fire way to protect yourself if you do contact someone not-so-nice.  Be patient and courteous, ask polite questions, and it works best with one male and one female, preferably someone you trust so, "You're pushing it," doesn't become the mantra of the evening.

A doctor in Fairfax, VA, stated that ouija boards cause violence and even murder.  It's not the board, it's the people using them.  A person's character can invite just about anything into the home if they're receptive to it.  Guns, video games, television, music, and ouija boards don't influence the shooter/watcher/listener/player -- they cause harm all on their own, if they're predisposed to it.  Listening to rumors and believing the evil superstitions don't help either.

However, if you love horror, it's always fun to read a spooky Ouija story!  Just keep in mind that it's fiction, not fact.