Elijah Bond

Elijah Jefferson Bond (January 23, 1847 in Bel Air, Maryland - April 14, 1921 in Baltimore, Maryland) was an American lawyer and inventor.

Although he invented and patented items, including a steam boiler, he is best remembered for patenting what became known as the Ouija Board. He filed for a United States patent on May 28, 1890. Charles W. Kennard and William H. A. Maupin were listed as assignees. The patent was granted on February 10, 1891.

By 1907 Bond had relocated to West Virginia where he registered a trademark on the word "Nirvana" on June 18, 1907. The mark incorporated a swastika as its logo and the company which produced these boards was named The Swastika Novelty Company.

Bond died at age 74, and is buried in Baltimore, Maryland's Green Mount Cemetery, beneath a marker that resembles a Ouija board.

Gravestone front detail

Gravestone rear detail

Gravestone rear three quarter

...
Wikipedia