Thundersticks, sometimes known as cheerstix, bangers or bambams, are long, narrow plastic balloon

Balloon

A balloon is an inflatable flexible bag filled with a gas, such as helium, hydrogen, nitrous oxide, oxygen, or air. Modern balloons can be made from materials such as rubber, latex, polychloroprene, or a nylon fabric, while some early balloons were made of dried animal bladders, such as the pig...

s that are used as promotional noise makers. The noise is created when two thundersticks are struck together. They are most often used at sporting events, political rallies and concerts.

Origin and popularity

Bangers were first created in the Republic of Korea

South Korea

The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...

, and thundersticks gained popularity in the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 when used by fans of the Anaheim Angels

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...

 during the 2002 World Series

2002 World Series

The 2002 World Series was a best-of-seven playoff series to determine the champion of Major League Baseball for the 2002 season. It was the 98th such contest between the champions of the American League and National League , and featured the AL champion Anaheim Angels against the NL champion San...

. Today thundersticks are used by fans of many sports teams in order to show their support, serving a similar purpose as the Homer Hanky

Homer Hanky

The Official Star Tribune Minnesota Twins Homer Hanky , is a handkerchief printed with a baseball-shaped logo during Minnesota Twins championship seasons...

 associated with the Minnesota Twins

Minnesota Twins

The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...

 and the Terrible Towel

Terrible Towel

The Terrible Towel is a rally towel associated with the Pittsburgh Steelers, an American football team in the National Football League . Created in 1975 by then Steelers radio broadcaster Myron Cope, The Terrible Towel has spread in popularity; fans take their Towel to famous sites while on vacation...

 associated with the Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...

.

Thundersticks have appeared around the world at many sporting events. They are regularly seen in Indian cricket

Indian cricket

Indian Cricket may refer to one of the following:*Cricket in India*Indian cricket team*Indian Cricket *Board of Control for Cricket in India...

 matches and Football (soccer) matches throughout Europe, but sometimes under different names such as "cheersticks" or "bangers".

See also

• Homer Hanky
  Homer Hanky
  The Official Star Tribune Minnesota Twins Homer Hanky , is a handkerchief printed with a baseball-shaped logo during Minnesota Twins championship seasons...
  
  
• Terrible Towel
  Terrible Towel
  The Terrible Towel is a rally towel associated with the Pittsburgh Steelers, an American football team in the National Football League . Created in 1975 by then Steelers radio broadcaster Myron Cope, The Terrible Towel has spread in popularity; fans take their Towel to famous sites while on vacation...
  
  
• Vuvuzela
  Vuvuzela
  The vuvuzela , also known as lepatata Mambu , colloquially known in South Africa as "Moerstripper", is a plastic horn, about long, which produces a loud monotone note, typically around B3 . Some models are made in two parts to facilitate storage, and this design also allows pitch variation...
  
  
• Handy horn