William Fuld

A 1920s wooden Ouija board manufactured by William Fuld.

William Fuld was an entrepreneur from Baltimore, Maryland best known for marketing and manufacturing talking boards. Although he is often credited as the “father of the Ouija board,” Fuld was neither responsible nor took credit for its invention.

His career began as a varnisher for the Kennard Novelty Company, a corporation that mass produced talking boards at a factory on 220 South Charles Street. After working at the company for two years, Fuld staged a “hostile takeover” and soon gained full control of the business.

Under Fuld’s direction, Kennard Novelty Company bought out several of its largest competitors including the rights to Elijah Bond’s “Ouija” patent. Ouija boards quickly became Fuld’s most popular product and in 1892 he decided to change his business’ name to Ouija Novelty Company.

Ouija boards originally retailed for $1.50 and promised to be both “mysterious and entertaining” for users. The product became so popular that by 1900 several other companies cashed in and began to manufacture similar talking boards.

Original packaging from a 1920s William Fuld Ouija board.

As a crafty businessman, Fuld sued companies whose talking boards infringed upon his trademarks or patents. His lawsuits included cases against his brother Isaac Fuld and a bill of infringement claim toward former associate Charles Kennard.

Fuld continued to manufacture talking boards through the 1920s and expanded his empire to include Ouija jewelry and Ouija Oil for rheumatism. After 30 years in business, he claimed to have earned over $3 million in sales, or approximately $40 million in 2011.

On February 24, 1927, Fuld fell from the roof of his factory during the installation of a new flag pole. While being transported in an ambulance, a fractured rib pierced his heart and he died before reaching the hospital.