This week’s meme is Fidget Spinners. Arguably, spinners have died down; however, they have left such a large impact on society that it would be practically impossible for me to ignore them completely. So, here’s some background information on the unique toy that managed to invade our summer:

Originating from the 90s, spinners have been around for quite a long time. Initially, Fidget Spinners were made to help people with ADHD, anxiety, or any sort of disorder that impairs concentration. Catherine Hettinger, the inventor behind these gyroscopic toys, held a patent from 1993 yet allowed it to expire in 2005 in lieu of a business partner. However, this was not the end for spinners.

Spinners became popular in early 2017, reaching their peak around May. For a period of time, they dominated schools around the country. In response, numerous schools banned them, claiming them to be a “distraction” when, ironically, they did help some kids concentrate.

Nevertheless, the spinner trend persisted and followed into the early weeks of June, just when sales started to decline. And, here we are now: a world that was once spun around by a mass of plastic with metal bearings.