Magic 8-Ball
Ask the Magic 8-Ball any yes-or-no question and get a mystical answer. Free online fortune teller.
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The History of the Magic 8-Ball
The Magic 8-Ball was invented in 1946 by Albert C. Carter and Abe Bookman. Its design was inspired by Carter\'s mother, Mary, who was a clairvoyant and used a homemade "spirit writing" device. The original concept was called the "Syco-Seer" and looked quite different from the black sphere we know today.
In 1950, Brunswick Billiards commissioned a version shaped like a traditional black 8-ball to be used as a promotional item. This billiard-ball design became so popular that it became the standard form factor. The toy was later acquired by Mattel and has sold over 100 million units worldwide.
1946
Year invented
20
Possible answers
100M+
Units sold worldwide
Frequently Asked Questions
The original Magic 8-Ball is a hollow sphere filled with dark liquid and a 20-sided die floating inside. When you shake it and turn it over, one face of the die presses against a transparent window, revealing an answer. Our digital version replicates this experience using a random number generator to select from the same classic 20 answers.