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Spinning top

Japanese Spinning Tops

A top (also called spinning top or spintop) is a toy that can be spun on an axis, balancing on a point. This motion is produced in the most simple forms of top by twirling the stem using the fingers. More sophisticated tops are spun by holding the axis firmly while pulling a string or twisting a stick or pushing an auger as shown in the pictures on this page. In the kinds with an auger, an internal weight rotates, producing an overall circular motion.

The top is one of the oldest recognizable toys found on archaeological sites. Spinning tops originated independently in cultures all over the world.^[1] Besides toys, tops have also historically been used for gambling and prophecy. Some role-playing gamers still use tops to augment dice in generating randomized results; it is in this case referred to as a spinner.^{[citation needed]} A thumbtack may also be made to spin on the same principles.

The action of a top relies on the gyroscopic effect for its operation. Typically the top will at first wobble until the shape of the tip and its interaction with the surface force it upright. After spinning upright for an extended period, the angular momentum, and therefore the gyroscopic effect will gradually lessen, leading to ever increasing precession, finally causing the top to topple in a frequently violent last thrash.

In recent years there have been many developments within the technology of the top. Bearing tops, with a tip that spins, have been one of the biggest changes. In addition, plastic and metal have largely supplanted the use of wood in tops. Fixed tip tops are featured in National Championships in Chico, California and in the World Championships in Orlando, Florida.^{[citation needed]}

Types of tops[link]

• Battling top
  • Battle Strikers
  • Beigoma
  • Beyblade
  • Spin Fighters
  • Spinja
• Dreidel (also spelled "dradel", "dreidl", or "dreydl")
• Flaming top
• Gaming top
• Gasing jantung
• Gasing leper
• Humming top
• Floating top
• Perinola, a six-sided top, very similar to the dreidel, that is used for a similar game in Latin America.^[2]
• Spinja
• Tippe top
• Trompo, Whipping top
• Whistling top
• Cracker top
• Peg top
• Ball top

See also[link]

"Brummkreisel"

• Bauernroulette
• Gee-haw whammy diddle
• Gyroscope
• Levitron
• Rattleback or celt, a top that reverses its spin direction.
• The Top, short story by Franz Kafka
• Wizzzer
• Yo-yo

References[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Spinning top