Hello & welcome to another edition of the GK Nugget.
This time instead of looking into the past, I’m focusing on something in the
present – a little toy that has caught the fancy of millions around the world.
Do you remember when I wrote about the Pokémon Go fad on 24th July
2016? Well, this is a fad that just might beat its craze. I’m talking about the
Fidget Spinner.
We’ve all heard about it; read about it, some of us have seen
it and many of us have wondered what that odd shaped piece of plastic/metal is
and why kids today find it so engrossing.
So here’s all you wanted to know
about the Fidget Spinner but didn’t know who to ask:
What is the Fidget Spinner?
It’s a small toy like device, shaped like a 4 leaf
clover, but with 3 leaves. Or just imagine the club card (chiddi) in a set of
playing card but without the stalk. It is usually made of a mix of metal and plastic
parts and has a hole in each of its 3 blades. It also contains ball bearings
and is used by holding the centre with your thumb and middle finger and
spinning the blades.
Why is it in the news?
Because everyone seems to have one or wants to have one. On
December 23, 2016, James Plafke of Forbes published an article describing
fidget spinners as the "must-have office toy for 2017". Ever since, its
popularity has been on the rise and sales have been going through the roof. Some
reports claim that a few factories in China have stopped manufacturing mobiles
& mobile accessories and started producing Fidget Spinners.
There is no specific reason why the Fidget Spinner is
such a big hit, but I’m guessing being a compact, lightweight, easy to use toy
boosts the craze.
Who invented it?
Catherine Hettinger, a chemical engineer by training, was
initially credited by some news stories to have been the inventor of the fidget
spinner (including by media outlets such as The Guardian, The New York Times and
the New York Post). She filed a patent application for a "spinning
toy" in 1993. She let the patent lapse in 2005 as she couldn’t afford the
$400 renewable fee. One of the reasons could have been that leading toy
manufacturer Hasbro rejected it. (Bet, they’re regretting the decision now).
But a Bloomberg News article on 11th May 2017
disputes that she is the inventor.
So currently, nobody is too sure as to who the inventor
is and who has the patent for the device.
What is the Fidget Spinner used for?
Some claim that the Fidget Spinner helps people who have
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) anxiety, and Autism, among
other conditions. Some smokers claim that the Fidget Spinner helps them to cut
down their smoking as it keeps their hands busy, a craving which otherwise
would have been satisfied by picking up a cigarette.
Currently, it is being
used as a cool toy to while away time. Users around the world are uploading
videos of Fidget Spinner tricks, twirls and hand transfers, with competitions
also being conducted.
Concerns?
A majority of complaints are coming in from teachers and
many schools have banned Fidget Spinners as they claim that the toys serve more
as a distraction for kids rather than a concentration booster. The quality of Fidget
Spinners also varies among manufacturers and small parts falling out can be
harmful to kids.
What else?
The First Kid – Barron Trump – was recently seen carrying
a red Fidget Spinner as he exited Air Force One with his parents.
Randy Boyd, a Republican candidate in the Tennessee
governor’s race, is kicking off his campaign by selling Fidget Spinners with
his logo printed on it.
From the animal kingdom, orangutans in the Vienna zoo
have taken a liking to Fidget Spinners.
Fidget Spinners come in a wide variety of designs and
materials and the prices range from $2 right up to even $1,000.
To be honest, Fidget toys have been around for a long
time – the stress ball that you have lying on your desk that you squeeze when stressed,
tangle-y toys, spinning gyroscope, durable doll and the most famous of them all
– the Rubik’s cube. All definitely better that tapping a pencil or shaking your
leg.
So what should I do?
Well, get one if you want to be a part of the fad. But if
you’re worried about how it might harm your child, you could distract him/her by
making one at home using cardboard. My sister and 6 year old niece made it and
the little one is thrilled with it. Since it’s made of cardboard it isn’t as
durable, but my niece enjoys making a new one with different designs every 2
days.
That’s all on this edition. I’m back to my Fidget
Spinner. See you next time.