Spinners have already “taken over” the United States, and are now rapidly gaining popularity in Russia. What kind of device is this, who invented it and what is its purpose?
What is a spinner?
If you still don't know what a spinner looks like, you're probably happy man, who is immersed in reading books and does not notice the appearance of gadgets around. It consists of a fixed middle in the form of a metal or ceramic bearing, and several blades that need to be untwisted. Now there are a huge number of spinners from various materials and flowers. There are even luminous ones and those that can play music from a smartphone thanks to bluetooth.
Spinners: invented by girls? .
Who invented it?
The spinner was invented in the nineties by an American named Katherine Hettinger. She even patented the toy, but in 2005 she was unable to pay for a patent extension. At that time, the spinner prototype was not of interest to any toy manufacturer.
According to one version, Katherine came up with a “spin toy” so that children could release pent-up energy without violence. The second version (and both were told by Hettinger during interviews with various publications): Katherine could not play with her daughter due to an autoimmune disease, and so a children's plastic toy was born.
A similar device, but made of metal, was created in 2014 by Scott McCoskery. His goal was to calm down during business meetings. Now it is not known exactly who exactly is the parent of the fashionable device; the patent status of the spinners is unclear.
Katherine Hettinger and the "first" spinner. .
Harmful or beneficial?
Late last year, Forbes magazine named the fidget spinner a "must-have office toy for 2017." At the same time, the media discussed the benefits of the toy for people with autism, anxiety disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Research conducted in America proves this. In addition, it is believed that the spinner develops motor skills and increases the sensitivity of the fingers. But as the toy's popularity has grown, some schools have had to ban students from bringing it into class because it distracts from learning.
What analogues does the spinner have?
If we remember our happy childhood, the spinning top was a popular spinning toy. A little later, all the children and teenagers were showing off yo-yos, and the adults were fingering “Chinese health balls.” Fidget Cube, another mechanical anti-stress device, is now gaining popularity.
Fidget Cube. .
But many of us are soothed by the smell and rustle of the pages of a new book. By the way, there is interesting book in the topic - “Invented by girls”. These are stories about outstanding inventors. The book develops creativity and inspires. Why not anti-stress?
By the way, there is an interesting book on the topic - “Invented by Girls”
March 14, 2017
The newfangled trend Hand Spinner only appeared in Russia in 2016, but has already gained widespread popularity and demand among consumers. What is a spinner? These original products are called differently: fidget, spinner, twister... The product effectively develops the fingers and has an anti-stress effect, helping to cope with anxiety.
Spinner: what is its use?
Hand spinner is a stylish and cool toy for adults and children. What is unique about the product and what is the spinner for? The instrument acts as a kind of exercise machine for the hands and fingers. Its effectiveness and benefits are explained by the following properties:
develops motor skills and increases finger sensitivity. Products are especially useful for restoring hand function after various injuries and fractures of the hand;
the device has an anti-stress effect: helps to concentrate, eliminates anxiety, relieves nervous emotional condition and irritability;
the toy will be a great way to occupy time when traveling on public transport or while waiting in a long line;
stimulates the development of manual precision. 
The finger spinner is not only an innovative and fashionable toy. Not all fans know about the capabilities of such a compact exercise machine as a spinner, what is it? great way get rid of bad habits. For example, frequently repeated hand movements, finger tapping, and even smoking. A hand spinner will eliminate the habit of spinning various objects in your hands.
What types of spinners are there?
The hand spinner not only improves finger dexterity but is also fun to use. Products differ from each other in the material used for manufacturing. The consumer market offers metal, wood, and plastic spinners, as well as combination spinners that combine several different materials. The surface of the products can be textured or smooth. The colors are very different. The device can be carried everywhere with you thanks to its small and convenient dimensions, and unusual design gives products aesthetic appeal and originality.
Hand spinner is universal tool for finger training. You can buy the product both for your own use and as original gift for friends or relatives of any age category. This small device will bring comfort and pleasure anywhere.
Now these devices are among the top most purchased products; every third person, if not every second person, carries them. These turntables are written about in newspapers, they are actively discussed on the Internet, manufacturers are trying to outdo each other, offering more and more new design options and shapes. Who invented the spinner? Who came up with the idea that captured millions of people? Now we will tell you about it.
Then
Who invented it and when is a moot point. The first turntable, literally from improvised materials, was designed by inventor Katherine Hettinger, a chemist by training. The device she came up with was similar to a modern spinner, but still had some significant differences. By the way, currently, Katherine has launched a campaign to sell the “classic” version of the toy. True, so far she has managed to collect only a few thousand dollars.
When Katherine explains why she invented the spinner, the reasons vary somewhat. Giving an interview to one of the popular publications, Hettinger said that the idea of creating a toy that could calm and absorb the negative energy of teenagers was inspired by an unpleasant incident in Israel. There she had to watch how poor Arab boys threw stones at the police, and this spectacle greatly amazed the inventor.
However, while talking about the invention of the spinner to a reporter from another newspaper, Katherine voiced a completely different version, according to her, she designed the spinner for her little daughter. This happened when the woman was being treated for a serious illness that affected muscle activity and could not play with the baby herself. In general, as for the spinner widget, it is known exactly where and when it was invented - it happened in the United States, in 1994.
Now
Although Hettinger patented her invention, it did not bring any benefits. And therefore, when the patent expired at the beginning of the 2000s, Katherine did not renew it. The device was slightly improved and re-patented by Scott McCoskery in 2016. It is this fact that can be considered the starting point of the triumphant procession of turntables around the planet. 
(McCoskery pictured right)
To the question “why was the spinner toy invented?” everyone has their own answer. Some people use it to calm their nerves, for others it helps them get rid of a bad habit, and for others it’s just something to do with their hands. Judging by the popularity of this device, a huge number of people have found benefit from it.
More recently, a new hobby has appeared among young people and schoolchildren - spinning and spinning a hand spinner. This toy is called by different names: fidget spinner, hand spinner, and hand spinner. She quickly became popular all over the world. Fashion trend 2017, hand spinner for hands, designed for children and adults. What is this miracle toy, where did it come from and how to use the hand spinner?
Where did the hand spinner come to us from?
The invention of the hand spinner is credited. In 1993, she applied for a device that was similar to a hand spinner. But then no one was interested in this. And in 2014, the patent expired, Katherine did not renew it.
In 2016, the first publications on the topic fidget hand spinner were published. Forbes' James Plafke called the fidget a "must-have office toy." Manufacturers and buyers turned their attention to it.
At the beginning of 2017, review videos appeared on YouTube and Reddit about the merits of this turntable. Since April, the popularity of spinners has increased dramatically. In May of this year, several factories producing phones in China switched to producing this gadget, and on Amazon the new spinner toy became one of the most in-demand products.
How to use a hand spinner?
The toy should be held by the central part between the thumb and middle finger. In order for the spinner to start spinning, you need to make one push with the finger of your other hand. Having become a little more experienced, you can click on the blade with your middle finger.
Now many tricks have already been mastered and invented using this toy. Here's the simplest trick - you need to spin the pinwheel and throw it from finger to finger. A more difficult trick is a blind throw behind your back. You need to throw the rotating toy so as not to touch its blades, otherwise they will stop. And the ability to juggle several rotating gadgets is considered the height of skill.
Video, how to use spinner:
And this is how a spinner is used to perform tricks, video:
Why do you need a hand spinner, what is its benefit?
Initially, the hand spinner fidget was conceived as an anti-stress device that would relieve nervous irritation and anxiety. Many people have bad habits such as finger tapping, nail biting, or ballpoint pens, smoking. The spinner distracts people from this and helps them get rid of these habits. The fashionable toy can also be used as a hand trainer. It develops finger motor skills and sensitivity well, especially after injuries. 
Hand spinner, with correct use, helps children get rid of excess energy, and adults concentrate on solutions certain tasks. But it is not recommended to use it during lessons at school, as students begin to be distracted by the toy.
How does the newfangled gadget work?
Spinner translated into Russian means hub fairing, spinner, spider, top, propeller spinner. In the central axis of the toy there is a bearing, a small ring with ceramic or metal balls inside. The top of the bearing is closed with a cap or plug. The ABEC quality rating of a bearing determines the speed and time of its rotation. Many gadgets have additional bearings located closer to the center. They play the role of balance - weight distribution. If you remove them, the spinner will rotate more slowly. 
The photo shows a spinner toy for hands
The three spinner, single, quad and other types of spinner toys use 608 and R188 bearings.
Bearings used in hand fidget:
- Ceramic bearings– soften vibration well, making rotation smoother. They are more expensive than steel types and are suitable for silent spinners.
- Steel bearings easy to maintain, easy to clean, used for simple models.
- Hybrid bearings is a combination of ceramic and steel balls that gives a great balance between vibration and value.
What types of hand spinners are there?
- Single. This design consists of a solid block with a bearing in the center.
- Three-spinner - this gadget model is the most popular, it consists of three blades and a bearing in the middle, reminiscent of a propeller.
- Quadra spinner is a model with four blades, similar to a cross or a mill. They have good stability and smooth rotation, but at the same time the weight and size of the gadget increases.
- Wheel – this spinner model is round in shape and resembles a cart wheel.
- Original, exotic models, such as shuriken, in the form of a ninja star, luminous, equipped with LEDs, the use of sleeves as counterweights and others.
- Special type spinners printed on a 3D printer. IN in social networks Many drawings have appeared that can be used to print and assemble a fashionable toy in just one hour.
Models of hand toys are made of metal, wood, and plastic. The surface of the gadget can be smooth or textured, the colors are very different. Light weight and convenient dimensions, aesthetic original design models make it a pleasure to use.
Photo of a spinner with unusual shape for hands:
How to choose a hand spinner?
Appearance models has great importance. A wide range of spinners allows you to choose a training toy both for everyday use and for an original gift.
When choosing a fashionable gadget, you need to pay attention to the volume of vibration when it rotates. Vibration is greatly influenced by the bearings and the material from which the turntable is made. The faster the toy rotates, the stronger the vibration sound.
Gadgets with ceramic and hybrid bearings rotate smoothly and vibrate quieter. The weight of the model also affects the vibration volume. Fidget spinners made of plastic are usually quieter than a metal hand spinner.
Before you buy a turntable, you should try to spin it to feel its ergonomics. Many beautiful, original hand spinners give a feeling of discomfort and rigidity when spinning. Using heavy models during the day can cause discomfort in your hands, so it is better to use toys made of wood or plastic.
High-speed models with R188 bearings differ in speed and duration of rotation. These turntables can spin for up to ten minutes. This is achieved by combining the use of a bearing high rating R188 and the metal from which the spinner is made (copper, brass, steel). The use time of gadgets or their durability depends on the material from which they are made and the care of the bearing.
How much does a hand spinner cost?
Price fashion toys very different. The price for them directly depends on the material from which the hand spinner is made and ranges from one to seven hundred dollars. 
The most popular hand toys range from $5 to $20 and are made in China or 3D printed. The average price is twenty to fifty dollars for gadgets made of metal with high-quality bearings. Unique, High Quality spinners will cost fifty dollars and up. Cheap gadgets in a large assortment are presented on aliexpess. You can also buy them in online stores and vape shops.
Hand spinner is a great toy for both children and adults. It can keep our hands busy while stuck in traffic jams modern city, distract from sad thoughts and calm your nerves. A positive toy will be useful for all ages.
Fidget spinner anti-stress toy, video:
Video review of spinners:
The most popular toy among children and teenagers today, of course after the tablet, is the . This is such a fun pinwheel that you need to pinch with your fingers and spin. It can be made of different materials, have additional inserts and weights - the range is huge. Many adults don’t understand what a spinner is for, so they buy it and try to spin it themselves. Below you will find all the information about the product and decide whether your child needs it or not.
Who came up with it and how did it become popular?
A spinner is a rotating mechanism in the center of which there is a bearing, and several blades are evenly distributed on the sides. It is not known exactly who created it.
- Engineer Katherine Hattinger- mother of a girl with an autoimmune disease. She says that she made the toy herself from a newspaper for her daughter so that she could study with her. Over time, the spinner became popular with friends and Katherine began selling it online;
- Scott McCoskery, who claims to have come up with a device that helps him relieve anxiety during important negotiations and while working in the office. He posted photos and videos of the invention on the Internet and he began to receive orders to purchase the outlandish thing. Later, he and his friend wrote a patent application.
Immediately all well-known online stores began selling turntables various forms and flowers. And some factories in China that produce small equipment have retrained and are now producing them. But many experts are sure that this won't last long, very soon the hype will disappear.
How does a spinner spin in space?
But so far the popularity of the toy is only growing. The astronauts even asked her to deliver her to the station. Now they are posting a video of how the spinner rotates in zero gravity. If you look closely, you will notice that the central part and the blades work as one unit, since the friction of the bearings is now reduced.
Many people believe that in space the spinner should rotate endlessly. But that's not true. Of course, it will work longer, but the bearings still rub against each other, as well as against the air that is in the station. All this together will create resistance. Perhaps, if you go into outer space and start the rotation mechanism there, it will spin endlessly. However, even there the parts inside will interfere with each other. In addition, one cannot help but take into account the gravitational force of nearby planets, the solar wind and other factors. Their intervention will be negligible, but it will be enough to reduce the rotation time.
NASA astronauts are confident that the mechanism can operate in outer space tens of times longer than on earth, but still not indefinitely. However, the theory can only be accurately proven experimentally.
And this experiment has already been carried out. In this video, astronaut Mike Fergenson will show how a spinner operates in zero gravity:
Will the toy be banned in Russia?
It would seem like an ordinary toy. But all over the world, teachers and doctors are discussing its appearance. Their opinions differed. In America, the product has become so popular among children that classes are being disrupted in schools. It got to the point where many states banned its sale.
Occupational therapists, on the contrary, are satisfied. Finally, there is a simulator that really helps people with autism, ADHD and anxiety to concentrate. The main thing is to learn how to use the device correctly. Its purpose is help where needed, not distract. And here it is necessary to draw a clear boundary.
In our country, opinions also differ and there are already proposals to ban the sale of the invention. But so far there is no such law.
Why is a spinner dangerous?
Like all new things, the invention raised a wave of discussion. Frightening news appears on the Internet, describing how dangerous the product is. There are exactly the same number of positive reviews.
We studied the opinions of both those and others and identified three main points:
- spinner distracts from studying. Boys and girls, instead of listening to the teacher, spin the mechanism under the desk and on the desk without any hesitation. As soon as one person takes out an object in class, the class’s attention is lost until the end of the lesson and it is no longer possible to restore it;
- Toy may hurt. There are cases where children were injured while trying to perform another trick. One boy tried to throw and catch the spinner, but couldn’t. It hit him in the eye and caused serious injury, as it turned out to be quite heavy;
- Often made from low quality materials. Chinese manufacturers do not care much about the health of our children. It was recently discovered that products manufactured in this country contain mercury and lead.
These are the main complaints. But, as you can see, they can apply to any toy. It turns out that the problem is not in her, but in control by Rospotrebnadzor, schools and parents. You can prohibit bringing it to school, limit its use by age and buy only from good producers. Then there is nothing to be afraid of, the same smartphone that every schoolchild now has will seem much more dangerous.
What did Nagiyev call the spinner in the MTS advertisement?
Indeed, today there has been some kind of boom in spinners. There was even a hint of this in the advertising. The famous showman D. Nagiyev mentioned what was happening in his next video for MTS. According to the plot, he talks about popular things that young people were “sick” of in the 70s and 80s. Washed jeans, a hairstyle - it was ultra-fashionable then and is now called the word “hype”.
At the end of the video, a spinner appears, which Nagiyev says is “a mess,” which caused a lot of emotions. Nobody can understand what this means.
Zashkvar- a concept that came to people from criminal jargon. Here, among ordinary people, they mean something unpopular, uninteresting, not worth a look, disrespected by everyone.
And since Nagiyev portrays a fashionable and modern person in the video, he says that the spinner is a mess. The hidden meaning is clearly visible. The authors are trying to say in this way that people calm down and stop, there is no need to make a cult out of an ordinary toy that essentially resembles a top that we played with in childhood.
Buy it if your kids like it, don't buy it if you think it's crap. But she's not really worth that much attention.
In this article, we explained why a spinner is needed, briefly described the history of its invention and how it became popular. Decide for yourself whether it is suitable for your child. Probably, if you use this thing for its intended purpose and in the allotted time, you should not forbid him to play with it. The fashion will pass, and he will put it aside himself, finding other entertainment for himself.
Video: what were spinners originally designed for?
In this video, Kirill Topolev will tell you what spinners are actually intended for, why they were originally invented: