Magna Doodle
Magna Doodle is a magnetic drawing toy, consisting of a drawing board, a magnetic stylus, and a few magnet shapes. Invented in 1974, over forty million units have been sold to date worldwide, under several brands, product names and variations .
The key element of the toy is the magnetophoretic display panel, filled with a thick, opaque white liquid containing tiny dark magnetic particles. These particles can be drawn to the drawing surface by a magnet-tipped stylus or optionally-provided shapes, or removed to the hidden back side by a sliding eraser bar. The middle layer is divided into a honeycomb of cells, keeping the liquid static and the particles evenly distributed across the panel. The liquid is formulated so that the floating particles can be pulled through it in response to the magnetic forces, but not due to gravity.
The toy was originally produced as "Magna Doodle" by Tyco until 1998, when the manufacturing rights to most of Tyco's toy product line were sold to Fisher-Price. "Magna Doodle" is currently owned and produced by the Ohio Art Company, having formerly been distributed in the United Kingdom by Fisher-Price. Fisher-Price have produced their own alternative called the Doodle Pro. The Doodle Pro is still available in the UK from the distribution company Megatel LTD.
Because the Magna Doodle uses no ink or graphite, scuba instructors use it as an underwater whiteboard when instructing students. It is also used by divers who wish to pass short notes. The Magna Doodle is not specifically designed to work underwater and many of its components can rust or otherwise deteriorate over time.
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See also
- Etch A Sketch, a somewhat similar toy using a different principle of operation.