AUSTIN, Texas — The Ouija board isn't just a toy made by Hasbro for teen slumber parties.

An Austin collector is working to preserve the long and rich history of these spirit-speaking devices.

Brandon Hodge, of Mysterious Planchette, has built up a unique collection of planchettes and other items for spirit contact.

According to Mysterious Planchette, planchettes, dial plates, and talking boards evolved during the latter-half of the 19th-century, at a time when age-old religious notions challenged sweeping scientific discoveries and industrial advancements.

To discover more about the history of spirit communication and talking boards, please visit IAPSOP.com and the Talking Board Historical Society at TBHS.org.