Magic 8 Ball
How to use the magic 8-ball ?
The 8 ball online is very easy to use. You just have to think about a question and click on the ball. After a few seconds, a clear answer will appear in its center.
What is the origin of the 8 ball ?
The main component of the Magic 8 Ball, the tube inside, was invented by A.C. Carter, who was inspired by a spirit writing device used by his mother Mary, a clairvoyant.
Then, the Magic 8 Ball was produced by Mattel from 1950.
It is supposed to predict the future and answer any question asked.
It has the shape of a black billiard ball, 10 cm in diameter, with the number 8 painted on the top in a white circle. The ball contains an icosahedron, a solid with 20 faces, floating in a dark blue liquid. Each face offers an answer visible through a round transparent window located opposite to the 8.
To use the ball, simply hold it in your hands with the number 8 facing you and ask a question. Then, turn the ball over (it is possible to shake it a bit before turning it over) and a triangle will appear with a message in white on the colored background.
Recognized by generations of adults and children alike, the mystical 8 Ball has become a pop culture phenomenon.
Versions
There are several other magic balls inspired by the original one, mostly marketed in the United States. The best known is the Pink 8 Ball, also known as the "Love-Ball". It is a version especially used for questions related to love or dating.
Some other versions are:
- Sarcastic Ball : Which is a bit more for parties.
- Yoda Magic 8 Ball : Directly inspired by the StarWars character, with answers like "Yes it is so" or "No the answer is".
- Simpsons Magic 8 Ball : Which sometimes answers "D'oh!" or "WHOO-HOO!".
- Kirby Magic 8 Ball : From the AL Laboratory character edited by Nintendo.
Culture
The Magic 8-Ball appears in many fiction.
Movies
- Toy Story (1995): Woody's character asks the ball if Andy is going to invite him to Pizza Planet. The answer is: “Don't count it”.
- Will Hunting (1998): Skylar's character uses one several times during the scene where she is in bed with Will.
- Ken Park (2002): the main character uses it when on the phone.
- Interstate 60 (2002).
- Ghost Rider (2007): Roxanne Simpson's character pulls one out of her purse.
- The House with a Clock in Its Walls (2018): Lewis uses it for all his questioning.
- Shazam! (2019).
TV
- Fringe (season 3, episode 12).
- The Pretender.
- Dr House.
- Friends.
- Scrubs.
- The Simpsons (season 3, episode 23).
- Dawson's Creek.
- Angel.
- ICarly.
- The Big Bang Theory (season 2, episode 12).
- Whose Line Is It Anyway?
- Charmed (season 1, episode 8).
- iZombie (season 2, episode 15).
- SpongeBob (season 3, episode 42a).
The 8 ball is not about to be retired. There was even a rumor about a movie she would star in at Blumhouse.