Magic 8 Ball

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 6 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #2,518 in How-To, #26,396 overall

The most famous fortune telling device known!

Ask any yes or no question and the Magic 8-ball will answer! Sometimes it's a clear yes, sometimes a clear no, and a few of the replies are vague, suggesting that you may need to ask again later, or more clearly focus on your question.

Whatever answer you get, the Magic 8 Ball has been a trusted oracle since the end of World War Two. 

Genesis of the Magic 8 Ball 

How and when the Magic Eight Ball came into being

Originally conceived of as a paperweight and conversation piece, the Magic 8 Ball was invented in the mid 1940s by Abe Bookman in Cincinnati for the Alabe Crafts Company. Alabe was then bought out by Tyco, and more recently, Mattel has acquired Tyco.

The Magic 8-ball is larger than a standard billiard ball, measuring 3.5 inches in diameter (a standard billiard ball measures 2.25 inches in diameter).

The Classic Black 

The original Magic Eight Ball is a classic!

If you are a traditionalist, nothing less than the classic black Magic 8 Ball will do.
MAGIC 8 BALL®

MAGIC 8 BALL®

Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 01/06/2010)Buy Now

This is the original form of the Magic 8 Ball. All other 8-ball-like toys are derivative of this classic fortune telling device.

Magic 8-ball links 

The secrets of the Magic Eight Ball are revealed on the net!

See the insides of a Magic Eight Ball and learn the secrets to how it works.
A Magic 8-Ball Unofficial Home Page
A collection of 8-Ball resources.
Secrets of the Magic 8 Ball Revealed
This very concise slide show disassembles a Magic 8 Ball to solve its mysteries.
Wikipedia's article on the Magic 8 Ball
The wiki has an extended list of the many different varieties of Magic 8 Ball. I may have to try to find one of those 'Sarcastic Balls' but it looks like Archie McPhee is out of stock.

There's a Magic 8 Ball for Everyone! 

Is black too goth for you? Find a Magic Eight Ball in some other color!

There's nothing quite like holding a solid Magic 8-ball when facing an important decision. However, some situations call for devices beyond the standard black Magic 8 Ball. Sometimes you just have to ask Shrek or the Psychic Golf Ball.
MAGIC 8 BALL®

MAGIC 8 BALL®

The original black. It's hard to go wrong with such a classic.

Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 01/06/2010) Buy Now

Shrek 2 Magic 8 Ball

Shrek 2 Magic 8 Ball

The Shrek 8 Ball is a lovely ogrish green and uses Shrekisms in its replies, "Sure, whatever."

Amazon Price: (as of 01/06/2010) Buy Now

Muppets Magic 8 Ball

Muppets Magic 8 Ball

The Muppets 8 Ball is a bright Kermit-y green and sports a picture of Kermit on the side, but the answers include Muppet-isms from more than just Kermit. "Wocka, wocka!"

Amazon Price: $8.95 (as of 01/06/2010) Buy Now

Magic Sports Balls 

When you need some team mojo, ask your Magic Sports Ball!

The original 8 ball is based on a billiard ball, which is from a stick and ball sport. Here are some other sports-related Magic 8 Balls.
Psychic Golf Ball

Psychic Golf Ball

Amazon Price: (as of 01/06/2010) Buy Now

The Magic 8-ball Poll 

Shake-a, shake-a, shake-a, turn...

While there are 20 variants of answers in a Magic 8-ball, they boil down to three basic results.

Loading poll. Please Wait...

Will the Magic 8 Ball ever go out of style? 

And if so, when?

Turnabout is fair play! For all the predictions the Magic 8 Ball makes, here's your chance to make a few of your own.

My prediction:

calyxa, at 6pm on November 20, 2008 predicts:

Reader predictions:

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alteredkat, at 8pm on November 29, 2008 predicts:

No it won't...it will be like smurfs and tinker toys...they all have their place in toy history

 
 
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Got a good Magic 8 Ball story or memory? 

How has the Magic 8 Ball affected your life?

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