Magic 8-Ball
Magic 8-Ball by debgrant
Boomers and beyond have grown up with this toy
In 1944, Albert C. Carter filed for a patent for a cylindrical spirit-writing device, assigned the patent to Abe Bookman for further development, and died before the patent was accepted. After a few different designs, it was finally produced as a gag toy in the form of a large billiard ball. The Magic 8-Ball had a floating object that would float into view in a small window with an answer to a question. Over the years, the Magic 8-Ball has been produced in the same basic shape, with slightly varying answer options.
The original 8-Ball answers were a mix of yes, uncertain, and no.
It is certain. It is decidedly so. Without a doubt. Yes definitely. You may rely on it. As I see it, yes. Most likely. Outlook good. Yes. Signs point to yes.
Reply hazy, try again. Ask again later. Better not tell you now. Cannot predict now. Concentrate and ask again.
Don't count on it. My reply is no. My sources say no. Outlook not so good. Very doubtful.
Why does this matter?
The toy was fun when it was in the hands of a group of childhood friends. Its answers to our silly questions made us laugh or blush or shake the ball again to get the answer we preferred.
There were days as an adult I wanted answers and had no 8-Ball to shake.
There were days when my prayers felt like I was waiting for an 8-Ball answer to float to the surface.
There are parents I know who seem to get their daily script from the 8-Ball options.
There are days when I feel like we are all sitting behind an 8-Ball that is waiting for us to come up with our own answers.
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