The origins of fidget toys date back to the late 1990s when a mechanical engineer from New York named Scott McCoskery created the first ever fidget toy to help people who have trouble focusing or who need to fidget to relieve nervous energy. Fidget toys were first invented to aid individuals with ADHD, anxiety, and autism. In the early 1990s, Catherine Hettinger invented a fidget spinner, a toy which has become widely recognized in recent years.
Fidget toys did not become popular until 2017 when they exploded onto the global scene as a major trend. The first Pop It fidget toy helped students stay focused during lectures, providing a new form of sensory play. The newest fidget toy can be rolled around in your hand and was created to help relieve stress and anxiety.
According to the Wall Street Journal, fidget spinners sales brought in revenue totaling $2.6 million last month. The rarest fidget can cost up to approximately $16,800 and is created by Russian jewelry specialists Caviar.
A fidget spinner consists of a ball bearing in the center of a multi-lobed flat structure made from metal or plastic, designed to spin around its axis. In 2017, the fidget spinner was an international sensation, with people of all ages enjoying its spinning motion. Allan Maman, inspired by the Fidget Cube Kickstarter campaign, used his high school’s 3-D printers to create Fidget360 with the help of his physics teacher.
Despite their popularity, some schools banned fidget spinners as they were considered too distracting. Additionally, studies have suggested that fidget spinners might impair memory when used during tasks requiring focus.
Initially, fidget toys like the Fidget Cube were designed to help people, particularly those with ADHD, concentrate better. However, they soon became a mainstream product, enjoyed by people looking for a way to relieve stress or anxiety.
Novel fidget toys such as LED flashlights with sensory features and multifunctional wallets have continued to emerge in the market. Simple, repetitive motions provided by these toys are said to have a calming effect, balancing the hectic pace of modern life, even though there are concerns about their impact on attention in certain settings.