Museum of Talking Boards: Tuttle's Psychograph

The Psychograph or Dial Planchette
For use in home circles

Hudson Tuttle (1836-1910) was a fruit farmer and horse breeder from Berlin Heights, Ohio. A committed spiritualist and author on all topics spiritual, he also operated a small home publishing company with his wife Emma. Together they held public séances and contributed to the many spiritualist newspapers of the time. Although of limited education, Tuttle suitably impressed science greats Ludwig Buchner and Charles Darwin who quoted from his writings.

By the mid 1880’s most dial plate talking boards were either of the homemade variety or the foundry forged heavyweights of Isaac Pease. Tuttle thought that there should be a cheap and reliable alternative. Borrowing from the Pease/Hare model, he constructed a dial plate that was inexpensive to make and easy to mail. Around a circle printed on a cardboard base were the alphabet, the numbers zero through nine, and the words “Good Bye” and “Don’t Know.” A circular dial with an indicator rotated in the center of the circle. Ball bearings underneath allowed the dial to swivel smoothly to spell out messages. Advertisements in the spiritualist newspapers insured that the target audience had the opportunity to purchase their very own spiritual telegraph for an economical one dollar and twenty-five cents. Tuttle called his device “The Psychograph or Dial Planchette” and he obligingly kept his customers updated with instructions and improvements as necessary. Unfortunately, the low-priced manufacture of these psychographs meant that few would survive to the modern era. We apologize for our dismal example (above).

Directions
By Hudson Tuttle

This instrument is an improved form of the dial employed by Prof. Robt. Hare in his famous investigations. It has been tested by numerous investigators and pronounced more satisfactory than the planchette in the ease and correctness it gives messages.

It is not, however, a machine that will respond under all circumstances. Essential conditions must be complied with. It is best to form a select circle and hold séances at stated times.

The tips of the fingers should be placed lightly on the revolving disc, which carries the index over the alphabet, thus spelling by pausing on the appropriate letters, the desired message. It is best, at least at first, to allow the fingers to be carried with the disc and not hold them so tightly that the disc slides under them.

It should not be expected that success attend the first trial. Usually better results are obtained when the persons sit together, but it is not essential, and sometimes the very best comes to those who hold their séances by themselves.

Price, $1.25 Prepaid
Tuttle Publishing Company
Berlin Heights, Ohio

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