Jon 'Fidget Spinner' Obar

Manager of Rotational Inertia
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A fidget spinner is a toy that is marketed as relieving stress. It consists of a bearing in the center of a multi-lobed flat structure made from metal or plastic. The toy has been advertised as helping people who have trouble with focusing or fidgeting (such as those with ADHD, autism, or anxiety) by acting as a release mechanism for nervous energy or psychological stress. Experts are divided, with some supporting this claim and others disputing its scientific basis, arguing that the toy may be distracting.

Fidget spinners became popular toys in 2017, although similar devices had already been invented in 1993. Often marketed with claims of health benefits, the toy became popular among schoolchildren. Some schools banned the spinners for being a distraction, while other schools allowed the toy to be used discreetly.

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