BRANDS: In 2025, “Ouija” brand by Hasbro turns 135.
Hasbro has a few other big anniversaries this year. Monopoly turns 90. Barrel of Monkeys turns 60. The Game of Life turns 65. The game of Operation turns 60, as does Spirograph and the game Trouble.
Hasbro owns Transformers, G.I. Joe, Power Rangers, Furby, Nerf, Potato Head, Play-Doh, Twister, My Little Pony and so many more.
Interestingly, Hasbro owns the name “Ouija,” and they say it can be pronounced Wee-Gee or Wee-ja.
“Just ask it a question and wait to see what the answer the Mystifying Oracle will reveal to you,” Hasbro says of its more-than-century-old toy. “Sit opposite your partner, with the board between you and your fingers lightly touching the message indicator.
“One of you asks a question — now concentrate very hard on the matter at hand — and wait for the indicator to move and begin to reveal the answer through its message window,” Hasbro says. “What you do with the information it reveals is between you — and the Mystifying Oracle! Ouija — it’s only a game — isn’t it?”
It started out owned by Parker Brothers, which Hasbro acquired in 1991.
The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, N.Y., said, “Ouija’s position as a toy is challenged by its origin in spiritual work. Talking boards have roots in a variety of practices around the world and deep into the past. The Ouija board itself is heavily connected to the modern Spiritualism movement in the United States that began with the Fox Sisters and their communications with spirits through rappings.”
Lots of movies and ghost stories talk about the boards, but there doesn’t seem to be an agreement on whether danger may exist. It certainly does spark conversation.
