Fidget Spinner: A Phenomenon in 2016
A fidget spinner, a stress-relieving toy, took the world by storm in 2016. It consists of a ball bearing at the center of a multi-lobed structure made of metal or plastic, with weights in the lobes to facilitate spinning around its axis. The fidget spinner's inventor, Scott McCoskery, created it in 2014 to deal with his own fidgeting tendencies during meetings and conference calls while working in the IT field in the Seattle area of the United States.
Popularity and Usage
The fidget spinner's popularity soared in 2017. It became a trending toy, with people using it to relieve nervous energy, anxiety, or psychological stress. However, claims that it could help those with neuro-developmental or mental disorders like ADHD and autism lacked sufficient peer-reviewed studies. The toy's popularity also led to it being the subject of numerous Internet memes on platforms like 4chan and Reddit.
Controversies and School Bans
Some teachers argued that the fidget spinner distracted students from their schoolwork. A survey found that 32% of the largest 200 American public and private high schools had banned the spinners on campus. Despite the concerns, there was no solid research to prove that the spinners had a significant negative impact on students' focus.
Invention and Patent Status
Scott McCoskery filed a provisional patent application for a utility patent on a version of the toy in 2017 and was granted a U.S. patent in 2018. Another individual, David Allen Pavelsky, applied for a design patent for a three-lobed version of the toy in 2017 and was also granted a patent. However, Catherine Hettinger, a chemical engineer, was wrongly credited by some media as the inventor. Her patent had lapsed, and her design differed from the modern fidget spinner.
Decline in Popularity
The fidget spinner's popularity peaked in May 2017 and then rapidly declined. Sales dropped significantly as the craze faded away. Despite its short-lived success, the fidget spinner remains an interesting example of a toy trend that captured the public's attention for a brief period.
In conclusion, the fidget spinner was a remarkable phenomenon in 2016 and 2017. It emerged as a highly sought-after toy, but its popularity was short-lived. The story of the fidget spinner showcases how quickly trends can come and go in the world of toys and entertainment.
