A modern version of an ancient instrument for divination and communication with supposed spirit entities. The modern Ouija Board was invented by Elijah Bond in 1892. Its name was created from the French and German words for yes, oui and ja. It represented an improvement over the planchette, a similar spirit communication instrument that had been in use since the 1850s. The planchette consisted of a heart-shaped piece of wood supported by two wheel-castors and a pencil. The pencil point rested on a piece of paper, and the hand of the operator(s) rested lightly on the planchette. Many people found that the planchette would write out messages either spontaneously or in response to questions.
The Ouija Board replaced the sheet of paper with a board upon which were written the letters of the alphabet, the numerals 0 through 9, and the words “yes” and “no”. The wheel-castors and pencil of the planchette were replaced with three felt-tipped legs. One end of the instrument became a pointer. Usually, two people placed their fingertips on the instrument which would, like the planchette, move at its own direction or in response to questions. By pointing to the letters, it spelled out messages.