History Planchette

1860 ad boston planchette

planchettes rose prominence in years following establishment of spiritualism in america, began purported spirit communications of fox sisters in 1848 , resulting popularity of supernatural-themed parlor games, séances, , experiments in mediumship , table-turning. participants in these events experience strange movements of tables, , communicate spirits indicated messages through series of coded negative or affirmative knocks. in other instances, sitters received more complicated messages of spelled-out words , phrases transcribing letters indicated knocks or raps participants called out alphabet empty air. believers in these spirit communications began experiment refining , expediting various forms of communication, including pointing letters printed on alphabet cards, automatic writing, direct channeling, , other methods.

in winter of 1852–53, fervor of modern spiritualism movement , spirit communications reached europe, french educator , eventual founder of spiritism, allan kardec recorded invention of planchettes on 10 june 1853. night, kardec witnessed séance participant propose more expedient alternative laborious processes of alphabet-calling , rapped responses. secured pencil small upturned basket, allowing multiple participants cooperatively write out messages attending spirits. idea produced astonishing results, , after refinements construct more sturdy wooden plank, word of invention spread throughout paris , england, cottage industry sprang produce devices.

the use of planchettes in europe became popular enough attract attention of bishop of viviers, railed against use in pastoral letter in 1853. despite respected status in growing religion of spiritualism, planchettes remained specialized novelty adherents next 15 years, produced within small cottage industry or on special request scientific instrument manufacturers. during period, remained popular among devout séance circles , enthusiastic spiritualists, @ time still largely relied on services of celebrity mediums (such fox sisters , d.d. home) lead spirit communications, rather using planchettes , other do-it-yourself devices. mediums, seeing monopoly threatened, rallied against devices , warned of dangers of amateur experimentation.

planchettes came america in 1858 when spiritualist , social reformer robert dale owen , friend dr. h.f. gardner observed devices in use @ séances in paris, , returned several of them. friend, boston bookseller g.w. cottrell, became first manufacture planchettes on large scale following year.

in 1867, british publication once week published sensational piece on planchettes. article reprinted in european , american newspapers, , 1868 dozens of booksellers , toy manufacturers producing items meet insatiable demand on both sides of atlantic. kirby & co., undisputed kings of planchette manufacturing, claimed have sold on 200,000 in first season alone.

over years, planchette manufacturers included such established firms selchow & righter, george g. bussey, jaques & son, chad valley, , great magician , crystal seer alexander.