Eli's Box

Eli's BoxWay back in 1921, an ad appeared in the pages of Thayer's Magical Bulletin. It was for an enigmatic device known as Eli's Dice Box. Through the use of that mystical box, regulation dice could be controlled in ways that had not been seen before, allowing for some very impressive magical feats. While the concept of what that box does has been around for over a century, the box itself has been unavailable for several decades. There have been a couple of

Way back in 1921, an ad appeared in the pages of Thayer's Magical Bulletin. It was for an enigmatic device known as Eli's Dice Box. Through the use of that mystical box, regulation dice could be controlled in ways that had not been seen before, allowing for some very impressive magical feats.

While the concept of what that box does has been around for over a century, the box itself has-been unavailable for several decades. There have been a couple of remakes over the years, but they were always short-lived and in limited supply. When one of these classic devices appears on the second-hand market, it fetches astronomical prices. These things are rarer than hen's teeth.

This is a genuinely unfortunate situation because the uses for this simple device are extremely interesting.

What is an Eli's Dice Box, anyway?

It's a small box that easily holds three or more dice. Toe box is shaken, and a variety of end results can occur.

Predictions can be made. Card tricks can be performed. Book Tests can easily be created. Toe list goes on.

It's an amazingly simple device. While not entirely so, it borders on being self-working in terms of what makes it go.

What can it do?

Here's just one possibility.

A box is introduced and shaken. It is heard that multiple objects are contained therein. The box is opened and reveals three dice. The top numbers are added together and written on a pad.

The dice are freely rolled on the table by a helper and the top three numbers are added together, that total being written on the pad as well.

The dice are then placed back into the box, which is vigorously shaken. It is opened, and the top three numbers are added together and recorded on the pad. All three of these randomly generated numbers are then added together.

It is then shown that the performer predicted that exact total ahead of time. Plus, literally everything is 100% examinable.

Well, I've been working on this fascinating device and trying to find a way to bring it back. It has taken a long time, but allow me to introduce you to ...

Eli's Box

Created by Ralph E. Hackman

Presented by Mark Strivings