Magic 8 Ball Answers Your Questions

Recently my daughter took on the task of clearing her closet and found her Magic 8 Ball. The closet de-cluttering was approached with a 30 minute limit and an empty box., as in “Here, take this box and fill it. Meet you back here in 30 minutes.” It was a manageable approach to something that can feel overwhelming.

Thirty minutes later my daughter appeared with a box of items, one of which included the Mattel Magic 8 Ball purchased two years ago. Fortunately, we saved the box and now it is ready to find its new owner to answer more of life's questions.

Just seeing the Magic 8 Ball Mattel brought back memories of when I had one when I was probably the age my daughter was when she bought hers. Many years have passed, but one thing is constant, the desire to know the answers to life’s questions. Children continue to seek its advice and fortune telling.

The original Magic 8-Ball was invented by Abe Bookman in 1946 . Together with Albert Carter and their company Alabe Crafts Company, they marketed the fortune telling device. Today the toy is manufactured by Mattel and is available in many variations including a Retro Classic, Pink Glam Magic 8 Ball, SpongeBob SquarePants, Toy Story Talking Magic 8 Ball, as well as a Magic 8 Ball Keychain.

The original Magic 8-Ball is a black sphere with a white face showing the number 8. It resembled then and now an 8 ball used in billiards. A user asks the Magic 8 Ball a Yes or No question and turns the ball over to view the answer. There are 20 possible answers. Ten possible answers are affirmative such as “Without A Doubt”; Five are negative,such as “My reply is no”; and Five are non-committal with “Can not Predict Now” as one of the possible answers.

Today the Magic 8 Ball is available online and at your local toy stores.

It is durable and it's lots of fun for children and adults alike. Parents of young children have been known to pass their original Magic 8 Ball to their children for their future telling questions and answers.

It's a classic with occasional appearances on Law and Order:SVU on Detective Tutuola's desk, in commercials for Allstate Insurance, and as an online game.

As a classic toy, the Magic 8 Ball is in the same league as the Slinky, Mister Potato Head, and Lego blocks, that have stood the test of time. It's easy to use and great fun.

Join Woody, Andy's favorite cowboy from Toy Story movie fame and start asking your questions and having some fun.