Spinner is a very fashionable toy in the modern world. She gained popularity back in 2016, and now is still at the peak of success. Moreover, an unusual bauble is equally liked by both children and adults. What are spinners, what kinds of spinners are they, what are they for, are they dangerous for health and the psyche? These and other questions will be revealed by our publication.
What is a spinner?
In fact, this is a type of spinning top. A spinner is a toy whose meaning is rotational movements. How it looks, you can see in the pictures in the article. The device consists of a bearing around which the main structure rotates. This design allows you to spin the toy longer and comfortably hold it in your hand. Most often, there is a toy with four bearings, one of which is located in the center, and the other three - at the edges.
Initially, the spinner was created for children with autism and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Therefore, it is believed that it helps to concentrate.
The lexical meaning of the word "spinner"
In the word “spinner”, emphasis must be placed on the first vowel sound “and”. In general, it came to us with a toy from the English language. Usually the meaning and meaning of foreign expressions and words are incomprehensible. Let's try to figure this out. The term spinner can be translated from English as “spinning top” or “spinner”. To spin means spinning. That is, in fact, the spinner is a spinning top.
Other terms are also used when it comes to this toy. Let's see how the English-Russian explanatory dictionary explains the meaning of the word “spinner”. The phrase fidget spinner means spinning top. Finger spinner ("finger spinner") is translated as "finger twist". Also used in everyday life is the concept of hand spinner ("hand spinner"). In Russian, it means the phrase "manual spinning top".
What is a toy for?
Basically, a spinner is acquired in order to relieve stress or occupy your own hands. The toy perfectly contributes to the development of fine motor skills, because with it you can perform a variety of tricks. However, this will have to work hard. A spinner helps many to concentrate, focus on something and distract from extraneous thoughts. Psychologists confirm the benefits of the spinner and recommend it if there is a need to get rid of bad habits or cope with distraction.
In fact, many do not think about what a spinner is for, and just buy it. For children, this is just a new toy, and for adults, unusual entertainment after a hard day.
How does the device work?
The principle of operation of the spinner is extremely simple. You need to take it with your index finger and thumb at the core and with a sharp wave start to unwind it with your other hand. The toy, due to rotating movements, becomes a real gyroscope. Therefore, it can only be held at one fingertip!
Types of Spinners
Such products are made of plastic, brass, aluminum, steel, ceramics and wood. Combinations of various materials are also found. From what a toy is made of, its strength and durability depend. But the speed and time of rotation is affected by the material used in the manufacture of bearings. What the spinner looks like, the photos in the article clearly show. Consider what types of toys are.
- Single. It has the most elementary design, which consists of a small bar and one bearing in the center. Such simplicity does not affect the rotation time, it can do it for a long time.
- Wheel. Also has only one bearing in the center. Due to its round shape it is considered the safest.
- Three-spinner. It is the most common option. Outwardly similar to a three-leaf clover. The bearing is located in the center and on each blade. A toy can have a different shape. For example, in the form of a propeller, a triangle or a ninja star.
- Quad spinner. This view has four blades that can form a variety of shapes. The advantages include smooth rotation and good stability. Many emphasize its high weight as a disadvantage.
- Multifaceted. They have five or more blades. Like the previous version, they have a lot of weight. In the picture above, you can see how this spinner looks like.
- Exotic. These toys are difficult to classify. They have a variety of custom designs and futuristic shapes. For example, there are spinners in the form of a heart, a bat, a basketball, gears and much more. As they say, who is what a lot. There are also huge and miniature options. Toys with LEDs that glow in the dark look interesting.
Pros of Spinner Acquisition
The meaning of the top for the fingers is its rotational movements. Consider which highlight the positive aspects of owning such a toy.
1. Relieving stress, relaxing effect.
2. Concentration of people with autism and ADHD.
3. The development of fine motor skills. During the game, manual dexterity is trained, especially when performing various tricks and feints.
4. A way to have fun, to entertain yourself while waiting.
If we turn to the lexical meaning of the spinner, we can assume that for many it serves as a new entertainment. A variety of tricks are performed with a toy: they throw and catch it, change their hand during rotation, twist on a finger and even on the nose and forehead. But you need to do this very carefully so as not to injure yourself or others.
Cons of owning a spinner
No matter how useful this little thing may seem, it still has drawbacks that are worth mentioning.
1. Excessive popularity. The toy is not so good anymore, because today almost everyone has it.
2. There is a risk of injury. More than once cases have been recorded when people inflicted injuries on themselves. Some accidentally swallowed the details, while others mutilated the eyes during the spinning of the top on the nose or forehead.
3. The anti-stress device is distracting. Although it was created to improve concentration, many feel the opposite effect when they begin to closely monitor the rotation. For this reason, many American schools have long introduced a ban on this toy so that children do not get distracted from their studies.
As you can see, a fashionable top carries not only positive, but also negative. It is important to understand what a spinner is for and to handle it wisely so as not to experience the disadvantages of owning it.
Can I buy for children?
Spinner, like many new toys, causes distrust and fear among parents. This is especially true when the media began to actively talk about accidents with this spinning top. For example, in Texas, one girl almost died, accidentally swallowing a small part from the “twist”. And many schoolchildren injured the eyes, rotating it on the nose. Also, adults do not like the fact that children are distracted in the classroom and do not listen to teachers. There are cases when teenagers resold the toy to classmates. However, this happens with all fashionable devices.
And it is not surprising that parents do not want to spend money on such a dangerous and dubious trinket. In fact, there are no special reasons for worries. This pinwheel is no more dangerous than other amusements. It is important to explain to children what the spinner is for, and to talk about precautions.
Cost pinwheel for hands
Spinners differ not only in form, but also in cost. The cheapest copies can be purchased for just a couple of dollars (about 120 rubles). They are usually of Chinese origin. They are created on 3D printers, so they are not very high quality.
In the middle segment are models from a thousand to three thousand rubles. They are nice to hold in your hands, and they spin perfectly. The most expensive products are most often hand-made, individually performed. Such products can cost five thousand rubles or more.
The story of the spinner
Despite the popularity of the spinner, it is difficult to determine who owns the patent or the author of the invention. It is believed that a resident of Florida, Catherine Hattinger, is the first person who was able to create something like this. The woman herself suffered from excessive fatigue and could not play with her daughter for a long time, but somehow it was necessary to entertain and develop her. Then Katherine came up with a spinner toy. She made this invention from paper and adhesive tape on her own and later sold it at fairs.
The innovation was introduced to the world in 1993 and even patented. However, the right to invention expired back in 2005. In an interview, Katherine herself says that her toy was a little like a modern spinner, so she does not claim to be considered an inventor.
Also in 2014 (it's 20 years later) Scott McCoscury created something similar. He needed a device that would help him deal with his excitement at important meetings. He became a metal spinning toy, which he called Torqbar. In 2016, Scott patented the invention. And a little later, many began to create and sell similar products, relying on the version of a young man. The patent status of the spinner is currently unclear.
Why did the toy become popular?
Many people wonder: why the invention was invented more than 20 years ago, and became popular just now? There may be several answers.
1. At one time, Catherine rejected the idea of many toy companies. It can be assumed that society has changed its views and become interested in something similar.
2. Good PR. The companies that were involved in the promotion of the toy did a great job. They revealed to everyone the meaning of the word “spinner” and described its merits, working with well-known publications, bloggers and websites.
How to choose a spinner?
When buying a device, you should rely on several important points. First of all, it is worth paying attention to the material itself, of which the body is made. Plastic spinning tops can be very different. They are smooth and pleasant to the touch, however, the service life will be short. No need to buy frankly low-quality Chinese toys. They smell strongly of plastic and break quickly. But as the first option there is a place to be. If you want to get a quality spinning top, you should take a closer look at the models of steel, brass or aluminum. Also well-proven wooden products.
It is worth saying about the ergonomics of the fidget spinner, this is a very important parameter. Often beautiful and intricate models are very poorly manifested in practice. Be sure to try to twist the product to find the perfect option for yourself.
Bearings are also of great importance. A special rating of ABEC was introduced for them. It is believed that the higher the indicator, the longer and faster the spinning top will rotate, but at the same time the volume will be higher. The most common bearings are 508. You can rely on this figure when choosing a spinner. Steel balls, which are used in simple versions, create a strong vibration. Ceramic products are more silent, but they have too high a price. As an alternative, hybrid options are suitable.
How to spin a spinner?
Adults and children who have already tried these toys in practice, offer several methods of torsion. For clarity, you can see them in the video and photo. The spinner needs to be captured in the middle with the index finger and thumb, and the ring fingers - to move the blades. It is more convenient for someone to hold the toy with one hand, and unwind it with the other.
To do all kinds of tricks with a top, practice and the ability to feel its movement is important. Almost all feints are based on the transfer of the device, and it should not stop rotating. The game can be complicated by various options for the difficulty of the main rotation method. For example, to carry out the movement of the top from one hand to another behind the back, that is, to carry out a “blind throw”. You can perform a trick from under your feet. For this, the lower limb must be kept on weight, and the spinner should be moved from below. It is important not to touch the blades and not to lose speed.
As you can see, a fashionable toy allows you to come up with various games. Spinner can be a great entertainment for both an adult and a child. But it is important to be aware that with inept handling there is a great risk of crippling. To purchase this unusual little thing or not, it's up to you.