Fidget spinner

Fidget spinner
A typical three-lobed fidget spinner
TypeStress-relieving toy
Inventor(s)Scott McCoskery
CountryUSA
Availability2014–present
MaterialsBrass, stainless steel, titanium, copper, plastic, etc.
A fidget spinner being spun

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 toy has been promoted as helping people who have trouble focusing or those who may need to fidget to relieve nervous energy, anxiety, or psychological stress. There are claims that a fidget spinner can help calm down people who have neuro-developmental or mental disorders, such as ADHD and autism,[1] though peer-reviewed studies for this notion are lacking.[2][3][4]

A fidget spinner consists of a round, flat central bearing (usually a ball bearing) that allows the arms connected to it to rotate; around this central axis, there are usually three weighted arms, but their number varies depending on the model. When spun forcefully, they can continue spinning for up to several minutes, depending on the model.[5]

  1. ^ McGri, David (2017-08-18). "Fidget Spinners". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2017-08-21.
  2. ^ Andersen, Rachel (9 March 2022). "Experts' Advice: Fidget Spinners Are Not for ADHD Treatment". Autism Parenting Magazine.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference TimeMoney2017 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference SinghHortonFuller2017 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Anne Demoulin, « Le Hand Spinner, la toupie qui fait tourner la tête des petits et grands », 20 minutes.fr, 11 mai 2017.