- [Narrator] It starts with a yes or question:

Does she have a crush on me?

Will I pass the test?

Will the Mets win the World Series?

Well, they may not have always predicted the truth.

Magic Eight balls are actually inspired

by a real life clairvoyant.

- [Narrator] Do you want to hear your fortune?

(Greek inspired music)

- [Narrator] In the 1940s, Mary Carter was a popular medium

best known for her mysterious fortune-telling invention.

It was called the Syco Slate.

Essentially, a chalkboard with a cover.

When the clients would visit,

Mary would ask a question to the spirits.

(scribbling)

The room would fill with the sound of scribbling

and then just like, poof, magic,

Mary would reveal answers from another world

mysteriously written on the chalkboard.

Mary's son, Albert, was inspired by his mother

and created his own truth seeking device.

But this time you didn't need a psychic

to tell you your fortune.

(big band music)

He put a pair of worded dice

inside a tube filled with molasses.

Each end was clear so you could read the answers.

Sound familiar?

(ding)

Albert hit the streets.

He partnered with a couple local businessmen

and opened a novelty company

where they specialized in the Miracle Home Fortune-Teller.

After he died,

Albert's partners took over

and redesigned the project (scribbling)

numerous times.

They ended up with crystal ball-like shape

with a die in the middle.

And a billiards company took note.

They needed a promotional item

so they replaced the crystal ball

with the iconic black eight ball.

The promotion was so successful that they rebranded

the magic eight ball.

This time marketing it as a fortune-telling toy.

(cash register dings)

Today, kids are still using magic eight balls

to ask for their fortunes.

And for that,

you can thank Mary the clairvoyant.

- [Woman] Ah, yes.