SS01 – Mini Magic SwitchBoard by Wellington Enterprises

Paul Bernhardt devised his first version of this effect around the same time has his initial Illumin-Ace effect using 4 standard sized (E26) colored bulbs that plug into a 110 Volt socket c. 1989.  It was then made and improved by Wellington Enterprises c. 1991.  Then Wellington released this close-up version c. 1998.

I love this device!  It works perfectly every time and is a good size for formal close-up and small parlor shows.  The routine gets progressively more amazing and there looks like no sign of trickery.  The device is beautifully made and the switch covers come on and off easily and are attached internally by small magnets so you are unlikely to loose anything in your case.  The routine is also easy to remember and once you have played with it for thirty minutes you’ll be golden!

Effect: The new Mini-Magic Switchboard allows this classic effect to be done anywhere in the world. This simple-looking device challenges the common assumption that a switch of a specific color will only operate an electric light bulb of the same color, regardless of where the bulb is located. Our new version of both the 110 volt and the new battery operated model, with completely redesigned circuitry, have taken Paul Bernhardt’s original idea to a new dimension.

The Mini-Magic Switchboard consists of a finely finished board with four electrical switches and four lamp sockets mounted in two parallel rows. The four switch caps are colored to match the four light bulbs. With this arrangement you can demonstrate that each switch will operate only its similarly colored bulb, regardless of which socket the bulb is in. You can even change the positions of both the bulbs and the switch caps and the correlation between each switch cap and its matching bulb still holds. The switches, bulbs, sockets and the switch caps are perfectly ordinary and their examination will provide no clue to the method. The board is entirely self contained, no separate gimmicks to hide. The spectators can decide the position of the bulbs and even flip the switches. Once the bulbs are lit, the switches can be turned on and off as often as desired and in any order, yet each colored switch will operate only its matching colored bulb. It’s devilishly clever.

We’ve included another routine using four white bulbs and playing cards. The bulbs tell you which spectator picked each card. Instead of four playing cards you can use four different objects or product cards. It’s great for trade shows! It’s so simple to operate you’ll entertain yourself with it.

The boards are designed to look old fashioned, belying the electronic wizardry inside and even include authentic Thomas A. Edison markings.The Mini-Magic Switchboard measures 10 by 6 inches, operates on AA batteries and is completely portable. Use it anywhere from a restaurant table to a foreign country. This latest model features newly improved switch caps that are macined from colored plastic ­ no paint to chip. They are held in place with powerful neodymium magnets, making it easy to reposition the caps.

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