Wizzzer
Encyclopedia
The Wizzzer or Wiz-z-zer was a 70's era gyrostat toy
reintroducing the spinning top
to modern children. The "twist" (innovation) was the use of a super-spinning, high-tech bearing
, that allowed the top to spin at very high speed and remain standing for a long period of time. This top did not rely on a string to attain high speed so it was easier to master than tops of old. Wizzers are not sold as scientific instruments, but may be used to demonstrate the conservation of angular momentum
and gyroscope
stability.
Catalog in 1969, with various iterations offered through the early 70's. Mattel used innovative wedge-shaped packaging and gave the tops interesting personas through the use of color combinations and stickers. The most memorable are those named: Spin-Fire, Mach-1, Prowler, Night Winder, Bonehead, Sparkshooter and "The Color Changer" (the last described the Wizzzer's actions rather than having a trademarked name). To expand the line, Mattel added a Wizzzer Hockey Game, the Trick Tray and the Super Competition Set. Several automobile toys were included that were Wizzzer-driven as "Spin-Buggies."
The technology was reused by Mattel as part of their Upsy Downsy series of toys as vehicles that figures would ride ("Furry Hurry" and "Hairy Hurry"). Two He-Man
action figures from the late 80's also reused this technology: Rotar and Twistoid (as a side note, there were plans for a vehicle called "Gyrattacker" that did not make it into production that would power up and launch them).
Wizzzers were marketed by all the major toy stores and also in department store catalogs like Sears
, J.C. Penney
's, Wards and Spiegel
in their Christmas Catalogs. Mattel worked with several companies to produce "Canned Wizzzers" - changing the body shape to a can/cylinder. Canned Wizzzers include: Coca-Cola
, 7-Up, Pepsi
, Hi-C, Hawaiian Punch
, Minute Maid
, Campbell's Tomato Soup and Bardahl
Motor Oil. For the Mattel Anniversary, a special clear "Mattel Logo" Wizzzer was made available to Mattel employees. Special "Mini-Wizzzers" were made available as cereal premiums.
Wizzzers were unavailable for many years then revived first by Mattel then later by Matchbox and Duncan
(the Yo-yo company). The most recent appearance was in the McDonald's
Happy Meal Chicken Little toy (available October 28 - November 22, 2005). Two vehicles are driven by wizzzer figures (each figure is basically built on a wizzzer - the bearing is struck and then the figures is placed in his vehicle - which drives the vehicle forward).
Toy
A toy is any object that can be used for play. Toys are associated commonly with children and pets. Playing with toys is often thought to be an enjoyable means of training the young for life in human society. Different materials are used to make toys enjoyable and cuddly to both young and old...
reintroducing the spinning top
Top
A top 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 by holding the axis firmly while pulling a string or twisting a stick or pushing an auger as shown...
to modern children. The "twist" (innovation) was the use of a super-spinning, high-tech bearing
Bearing (mechanical)
A bearing is a device to allow constrained relative motion between two or more parts, typically rotation or linear movement. Bearings may be classified broadly according to the motions they allow and according to their principle of operation as well as by the directions of applied loads they can...
, that allowed the top to spin at very high speed and remain standing for a long period of time. This top did not rely on a string to attain high speed so it was easier to master than tops of old. Wizzers are not sold as scientific instruments, but may be used to demonstrate the conservation of angular momentum
Angular momentum
In physics, angular momentum, moment of momentum, or rotational momentum is a conserved vector quantity that can be used to describe the overall state of a physical system...
and gyroscope
Gyroscope
A gyroscope is a device for measuring or maintaining orientation, based on the principles of angular momentum. In essence, a mechanical gyroscope is a spinning wheel or disk whose axle is free to take any orientation...
stability.
History
The Wizzzer first appeared in the MattelMattel
Mattel, Inc. is the world's largest toy company based on revenue. The products it produces include Fisher Price, Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels and Matchbox toys, Masters of the Universe, American Girl dolls, board games, and, in the early 1980s, video game consoles. The company's name is derived from...
Catalog in 1969, with various iterations offered through the early 70's. Mattel used innovative wedge-shaped packaging and gave the tops interesting personas through the use of color combinations and stickers. The most memorable are those named: Spin-Fire, Mach-1, Prowler, Night Winder, Bonehead, Sparkshooter and "The Color Changer" (the last described the Wizzzer's actions rather than having a trademarked name). To expand the line, Mattel added a Wizzzer Hockey Game, the Trick Tray and the Super Competition Set. Several automobile toys were included that were Wizzzer-driven as "Spin-Buggies."
The technology was reused by Mattel as part of their Upsy Downsy series of toys as vehicles that figures would ride ("Furry Hurry" and "Hairy Hurry"). Two He-Man
He-Man
He-Man is a fictional heroic character featured in the Masters of the Universe media franchise. In most variations, he is the alter ego of Prince Adam...
action figures from the late 80's also reused this technology: Rotar and Twistoid (as a side note, there were plans for a vehicle called "Gyrattacker" that did not make it into production that would power up and launch them).
Wizzzers were marketed by all the major toy stores and also in department store catalogs like Sears
Sears, Roebuck and Company
Sears, officially named Sears, Roebuck and Co., is an American chain of department stores which was founded by Richard Warren Sears and Alvah Curtis Roebuck in the late 19th century...
, J.C. Penney
J.C. Penney
J. C. Penney Company, Inc. is a chain of American mid-range department stores based in Plano, Texas, a suburb north of Dallas. The company operates 1,107 department stores in all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico. JCPenney also operates catalog sales merchant offices nationwide in many...
's, Wards and Spiegel
Spiegel catalog
Spiegel is one of the USA's leading direct marketing companies. Spiegel began as a "wareroom" in downtown Chicago; it is a US$3 billion, international, tri-channel, specialty retailer....
in their Christmas Catalogs. Mattel worked with several companies to produce "Canned Wizzzers" - changing the body shape to a can/cylinder. Canned Wizzzers include: Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke...
, 7-Up, Pepsi
Pepsi
Pepsi is a carbonated soft drink that is produced and manufactured by PepsiCo...
, Hi-C, Hawaiian Punch
Hawaiian Punch
Hawaiian Punch is a brand of fruit punch drinks owned by Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. . It was created in 1934 by A.W. Leo, Tom Yates, Ralph Harrison as an ice cream topping in a converted garage in Fullerton, Calif.; customers later discovered that it made an appealing drink when mixed with water...
, Minute Maid
Minute Maid
Minute Maid is a product line of beverages, usually associated with lemonade or orange juice, but now extends to soft drinks of many kinds, including Hi-C...
, Campbell's Tomato Soup and Bardahl
Bardahl
Bardahl is a brand name of a line of petroleum lubrication products used in automobiles and other internal combustion engines.-Ole Bardahl:...
Motor Oil. For the Mattel Anniversary, a special clear "Mattel Logo" Wizzzer was made available to Mattel employees. Special "Mini-Wizzzers" were made available as cereal premiums.
Wizzzers were unavailable for many years then revived first by Mattel then later by Matchbox and Duncan
Duncan Toys Company
The Duncan Toys Company is an American toy manufacturer based in Middlefield, Ohio, best known for its Yo-yo line. The company was founded in 1929 by Donald Duncan. In 1968, it became a division of Flambeau, Inc..- Yo-yo Product Line :...
(the Yo-yo company). The most recent appearance was in the McDonald's
McDonald's
McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
Happy Meal Chicken Little toy (available October 28 - November 22, 2005). Two vehicles are driven by wizzzer figures (each figure is basically built on a wizzzer - the bearing is struck and then the figures is placed in his vehicle - which drives the vehicle forward).