What is the actual purpose of a fidget spinner?

The Invention and Popularity of Fidget Spinners

A fidget spinner is a toy that consists of a ball bearing in the center of a multi-lobed (typically three-lobed) flat structure made from metal or plastic with metal weights in the lobes, designed to spin around its central axis. Fidget spinners became very prevalent trending toys in 2017. The fidget is claimed to relieve nervous energy, anxiety, or psychological stress. However, there are mixed opinions about its benefits, especially for people with neuro-developmental or mental disorders like ADHD and autism, though peer-reviewed studies for this notion are lacking.

The Inventor and Its History

Scott McCoskery, working in the information technology field in the Seattle, Washington, area of the United States, created a metal spinning device called a "Torqbar" around 2014 to satisfy his own tendency to fidget. He believed it was the first fidget spinner as they became known in their popular form. In response to requests from an online community, he began selling the device online. But Catherine Hettinger was incorrectly credited by some media outlets as the inventor. She allowed the patent to lapse in 2005 after failing to find a commercial partner to manufacture the toy.

Popularity and Usage

Some teachers argued that the spinners distracted students from their schoolwork. According to a survey, 32% of the largest 200 American public and private high schools had banned spinners on campus. They quickly fell in popularity and sales after peaking in May 2017.

Invention and Patent Status

Scott McCoskery filed a provisional patent application for a utility patent on a version of the toy featuring a centrally mounted ball bearing and other specific design elements. His application included illustrations depicting two- and three-lobed versions of the toy. He was granted a U.S. patent in March 2018. David Allen Pavelsky from Killeen, Texas, applied for a design patent covering a three-lobed version of the toy with a centrally mounted ball bearing. He was granted a design patent in October 2017.

The fidget spinner, a once highly popular toy, has an interesting history and various claims regarding its purpose and benefits. It was invented by Scott McCoskery, but there were also incorrect attributions and patent-related developments. Its popularity soared in 2017 but quickly declined, and its supposed benefits for stress relief and certain disorders remain controversial with a lack of solid research.