The fidget spinner, a worldwide sensation in the early 2010s, has an interesting backstory that many are unaware of. Catherine Hettinger, the original creator of the toy, never reaped the rewards of her invention.
Back in 1993, Hettinger, a resident of Florida, came up with the idea for the fidget spinner. She aimed to pitch it to toy retailers like Hasbro but faced rejection. Despite obtaining a patent for her creation in 1997, she couldn’t afford the $400 renewal fee, causing the patent to lapse in 2005. This allowed anyone to legally produce their own spinners.
In 2014, Scott McCoskery, introduced the Torghar, a device similar to the fidget spinner, designed to alleviate fidgeting during work meetings. Although it took some time, fidget spinners eventually skyrocketed in popularity and became a must-have toy.
Unfortunately for Hettinger, as she didn’t hold the patent and wasn’t manufacturing the toys herself, she didn’t profit from the fidget spinner craze, which sold millions worldwide. Her story serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of success and the twists of fate that can shape the destiny of inventions.
