I am currently doing a short research on the history behind the effect "What's Next". Need help on the historical reference on how this effect began, how many versions evolved from the original and also how many knock-off versions are there around. Which magic dealer was selling the original?

I feel that it is good to know the origins of magic effects so we can credit the originator. And I believe that the origin of the above mentioned effect may not be known by many.

Greatly appreciate your assistance and thanks a million.

If you are referring to the one where the spots on a card change, that may go back to Theordore DeLand. What's Next was Tenyo's version, but Ken Brooke was manufacturing one before they did that used a different mechanical principle. It's the one with the diamond pips. Ace Place currently owns that one. The Delben Domino was the version that had the hole that appeared in the corner of the board. It is currently owned by Delben, which is owned by Danny Gurganus of Danny's Trix and Kicks. He has not produced it in years. Check the trademark records to see if it is still "live."

Thanks again, Bill.

For the historical record, may I know the first origin, then the next that came after that, and the next and so on.

Recently I also noticed there are many knock-off versions sold every where. How many knock-off versions are there now?

James:

I don't know how far back it goes. I know it was in some of of the magic sets that came out in the early 20th century.

I have no idea how many knock-offs there are.

I first learned it as a kind of optical illusion oddity when it was printed on a plain piece of cardboard and there were no moving spots. In that form, it may be ancient.

Thanks again, Bill.

I managed to get a set from Ron Alessi and it did not have any moving spots or m****** and I was wondering whether this is a much earlier version from those sold today.

In the earliest one I got to know, the diamond pips where moving along two white parallel threads, but I have no way to tell you who had created that and the difficulty in making it seems to indicate that it pre-dated the m****t versions

The earliest one I've ever owned was called Pop-Eye Pips. This MAY be the one to which Lawrence was referring.

Julie

Die Cock A Lorum, by a gent named Larick is described in an early issue of Lloyd Jones' BAT magazine.

I made one up in bigger size with the threads to hold the moving pips. I was square, like a die. Mine then unfolded to show a DOMINO as a gag finish ... then one more unfold and it was a card castle.