While Merle (The Paranormal Roadtrippers) drove to Spokane for a spooky adventure with ParaNorthwest, he stopped at an antique shop … and you won’t believe the board he got. Get the scoop after the jump.

1911 William Fuld Ouija Board

So, I did a little sleuthing because I thought this board was older than what the price tag suggested. And, yep, it’s older. I confirmed that at the William Fuld website, which lists all the boards made by his family. As you can see from this pop-up, it was originally manufactured between 1911-1914. Actually, I’ll put the image below:

I thought it was interesting that the planchette doesn’t have a window to see letters or numbers. You just move it and look to see where it points.

Merle will use it with ParaNorthwest this weekend! I’m not sure if it will be a haunted house investigation, or if he’ll use it at St. Ignatius when they visit the site next week. I’ll update this post when I find out. And, hopefully, we’ll have some more pics, eh?

About William Fuld’s Ouija Boards

I couldn’t make this post just about picking up a demonic portal (kidding!) without giving you more info about William Fuld. Let’s get some learnin’ in, too.

The History of William Fuld’s Ouija Boards

William Fuld (1870–1927) was a Baltimore-based businessman and entrepreneur, renowned for popularizing and manufacturing the Ouija board from the 1890s through the 1920s. Although he didn’t invent the Ouija board, Fuld played a pivotal role in its commercialization and is often regarded as its father figure.

Early Involvement with the Ouija Board

The Ouija board’s origins trace back to the late 19th century when the Kennard Novelty Company began producing them in 1890. William Fuld joined this company as a foreman and, by 1892, had taken over as supervisor. Under his leadership, the company was renamed The Ouija Novelty Company, and Fuld filed his first talking board patent that same year. He was instrumental in increasing the production of Ouija boards to meet growing demand and actively defended the product against competitors.

Business Ventures and Legal Disputes

In 1898, William and his brother Isaac formed a partnership under the name Isaac Fuld & Brother, leasing the “Ouija” name from The Ouija Novelty Company. They expanded their product line to include pool tables and other billiards accessories. However, by 1901, their partnership dissolved amid a bitter feud. William established the William Fuld Manufacturing Company, while Isaac continued to produce talking boards under the name “Oriole,” leading to legal battles between the siblings that lasted until 1919.

Marketing Strategies and Innovations

Fuld was a savvy businessman known for his aggressive marketing tactics. He often stamped “Original Ouija Board” and “Inventor” on the back of his boards, leading to widespread but incorrect beliefs that he was the board’s creator. Throughout his career, Fuld secured over 33 patents, trademarks, and copyrights related to the Ouija board and other inventions. To combat competition, he introduced a more affordable version of the Ouija board called the “Mystifying Oracle” in 1919 and expanded his product line to include Ouija-themed jewelry and even Ouija Oil for rheumatism.

Tragic Demise

In a twist of fate, William Fuld died in 1927 from injuries sustained after falling from the roof of his factory while supervising the installation of a flagpole. This factory was one that, according to Fuld, the Ouija board had instructed him to build. On his deathbed, he reportedly asked his children to keep the Ouija board business within the family. Despite this, the family eventually sold the business to Parker Brothers in 1966.

Legacy

William Fuld’s efforts were instrumental in cementing the Ouija board’s place in popular culture. His marketing acumen and dedication transformed it from a niche spiritualist tool into a widely recognized and commercially successful product. Today, the Ouija board remains a subject of fascination and intrigue, with its history deeply intertwined with Fuld’s legacy.

Further Reading

If you’re interested in using a Ouija board to talk to the dead, check out our Ouija board user guide.

Murch, Robert. Ouija Board: The Mystifying Oracle. Schiffer Publishing, forthcoming.

Robert Murch is the leading Ouija historian. While his book is not yet released, watch for it, as it is expected to be the definitive history.

Curran, Karen A. Ouija Board Nightmares: Terrifying True Tales, Volumes 1-3. CreateSpace Independent Publishing, 2015-2016.

A collection of real-life accounts and folklore related to Ouija boards.

Hessel, Brandon. Talking Board Historical Society Presents: The Ouija Board: Origins & Evolution. TBHS Press, 2020.

Produced by the Talking Board Historical Society, this book is considered essential for understanding the board’s roots and its cultural development.

McCall, Lisa. Ouija: The Most Dangerous Game. Pocket Books, 1991.

One of the earlier books focusing on how the board became associated with danger and the occult.

Slater, Robert. The Ouija Board: Unlocking the Secrets. CreateSpace Independent Publishing, 2013.

A beginner-friendly book exploring Ouija board lore, myths, and techniques.

Kaplan, Loyd Auerbach. Ouija: Yes, No, Goodbye. White Crow Books, 2022.

A modern take on Ouija boards, their history, and investigation techniques, written by a respected parapsychologist.

Brandon, Ruth. The Spiritualists: The Passion for the Occult in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries. Alfred A. Knopf, 1983.

While not exclusively about Ouija boards, this book gives excellent context for the spiritualist movement that birthed the talking board.

Works Cited

Brandon, Ruth. The Spiritualists: The Passion for the Occult in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries. Alfred A. Knopf, 1983.

Kaplan, Loyd Auerbach. Ouija: Yes, No, Goodbye. White Crow Books, 2022.

Murch, Robert. “Ouija Boards & William Fuld.” WilliamFuld.com, Talking Board Historical Society, https://www.williamfuld.com/ouija_boards_ouija.html. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.

“William Fuld.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Fuld. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.