Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Ouija board
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question explores the origin of a very famous talking board often advertised as a game but linked culturally with spirit communication, the Ouija board. Exam questions about toys and games often look at when and where they were first produced commercially. Southern Novelty Company of Baltimore is an important keyword that points toward the early history of the Ouija board rather than to more modern games.
Given Data / Assumptions:
• The product is described as a game first produced in 1892.
• The manufacturer is the Southern Novelty Company of Baltimore, Maryland.
• The options include Frisbee, Monopoly, Ouija board, and Ping Pong.
• We assume that the term game is used loosely, since the Ouija board is more of a talking board than a competitive game.
Concept / Approach:
The key is to match the correct historical period and company with the product. Monopoly became popular in the twentieth century and is linked to Parker Brothers. Frisbee is associated with flying discs from the mid twentieth century. Ping Pong, or table tennis, has a different origin in England. The Ouija board, by contrast, is strongly connected to Baltimore and to nineteenth century fascination with spiritualism, so it fits perfectly with both the time and the maker mentioned in the question.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Note the year 1892 and the company name Southern Novelty Company of Baltimore, Maryland.
Step 2: Recall that the Ouija board emerged in the late nineteenth century as a spiritualist talking board manufactured in Baltimore.
Step 3: Compare this with Monopoly, which was commercialised by Parker Brothers around the 1930s, making it too late for 1892.
Step 4: Recognise that Frisbees became popular only in the twentieth century and originated from flying pie tins and later plastic discs.
Step 5: Understand that Ping Pong has roots in Victorian England but is not associated with the Southern Novelty Company of Baltimore.
Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this reasoning by remembering that the earliest Ouija boards specifically carried patent information and addresses linked to Baltimore. Many histories of the Ouija board mention that it was first commercially produced by a small company that later became associated with larger toy firms. This aligns well with the question data. None of the other listed games share this exact combination of place and period.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Frisbee is wrong because the modern flying disc toy came many decades later and is associated with Wham O. Monopoly is wrong because its well known commercial release occurred in the early twentieth century and not in 1892, nor was it made by Southern Novelty Company. Ping Pong is wrong because it developed in England and is not tied to a Baltimore based firm. Only the Ouija board matches the historical and geographic clues given.
Common Pitfalls:
Some learners may think of Monopoly when they see a reference to a game and may not pay attention to the year and company details. Others might be unfamiliar with the exact history of the Ouija board and therefore guess randomly. The safe strategy is to use all the clues, especially date and location, and to recall that Baltimore plus the late nineteenth century is classic Ouija board territory. This way, elimination and association lead to a confident answer.
Final Answer:
The game first mass produced by Southern Novelty Company in 1892 is the Ouija board.
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