Magic 8 Ball

Without a doubt, this week's Fortune Friday feature is about that old reliable decision maker, the Magic 8 Ball. Officially born as a commercially available toy in 1950, the idea for the Magic 8 Ball is believed to have first appeared in a Three Stooges movie short called, "You Natzy Spy".  In a strange twist of fate, Moe becomes the dictator of a place called, "Moronica." And Moronica is true to it's name, Moe decides "Loyal Moronicans should never read," so he orders books to be burned (I just hate that concept). Anyway, a beautiful woman shows up with a large 8 ball and claims the spirits send her a message through the ball...

The Magic 8 Ball has made other movie appearances, most recently as a character in all three Pixar Toy Story movies. This one talks back in Woody's voice. 

You don't actually need a physical Magic 8 Ball any more because like so many other things, the Magic 8 Ball can be outsourced to an Internet application. You can find electronic magic 8 balls all over the web: here, here and here. I admit that I found the last link a wee bit scary since it logged the questions asked and I clearly don't need to know anyone else's Magic 8 Ball question. But that's just me.

Mattel, the current maker of the Magic 8 ball, also offers a Magic 8 Ball iPhone app for a mere 99c. You ask a question and shake the iPhone. It delivers you an answer in true Magic 8 Ball fashion and with a press of a button you can share you answer on Facebook or Twitter. 

According to Wikipedia, there are twenty potential answers from the Magic 8 Ball:

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

There are now many derivative Magic 8 ball products, including:

-  The fashion fun ball, co-branded with Bloomies. This one tells you if you've made a fashion faux-pas. 

- A Glee Magic 8 Ball, from the TV Show. This ball also talks and some of the answers are sung back to you. 

- A Therapy Magic 8 Ball, which gives you answers like, "How do you feel about that?" and "Talk to your mother."

Have you ever asked a Magic 8 Ball a question? Signs point to yes.