In 2017 fidget spinners were the hottest toys on the market however many do not know that were actually invented many years prior. Catherine Hettinger was inspired to create the toy when she heard a story about young boys throwing rocks at police officers while on a trip over in Israel. She was inspired to create a toy that would soothe and distract children. She started coming up with the idea back in the 1980’s and wanted it to be a toy that promoted peace. Hettinger wanted it to distract children from doing things such as throwing rocks and fidgeting but little did she know they would become as popular as they are now.

In 1993 her fidget spinners hit the market and she was able to get approved for a patent four years later and ended in 2005. Trying to get the product to be a hit was not an easy one. For awhile she would go around to fairs trying the sell the gadgets and even tried selling to a few of the major toy companies but was not successful. One of the bigger companies she tried to sell to was Hasbro but after tying the product, they rejected the idea. However little did they know that over 20 years later they would start selling the toy.

Hettinger thinks the toys became so popular due to the 2008 recession because people were looking for a fun way to calm their nerves with everything going on at the time. She said she even found herself spinning the little toy when she was nervous to showcase the product to large toy companies. Eventually she was able to get Hasbro to take on the toy and it evolved into into what it is today. Even though she did not achieve success right away, she was the mind behind a toy that is extremely iconic to this generation. Some may think say they are stupid or over hyped, however if anyone says anything about a fidget spinner many know what it is so I would call it a success.