Hobbies And Interests
Types of illusion
Magic spinning tops create a variety of optical illusions. Some tops make it appear as if colors are moving around the top. This is done by placing a striped or spiral pattern on the top. When the top spins, the pattern's movement generates the illusion of color.
Other tops create the illusion that the pattern is moving in an impossible manner. For example, a spiral pattern may appear to vibrate instead of move or move counterclockwise when the top is spinning in a clockwise direction.
Some tops use LED lights around the border instead of paint or print to achieve a similar effect.
Parts of the Top
Magic spinning tops consist of a disc with a pattern printed or painted on it and a spinner. Tops can be made out of cardboard or wood. Wooden tops are often semi-cylindrical, with the pattern imprinted on the top of the cylinder. Cardboard tops may consist only of the disc and spinner.
How to Play with It
Spin the top like you would any other top. The best way to spin it is to put the spinner between your thumb and finger and flick the spinner.
While the top is spinning, pay attention to the pattern imprinted or painted on top. The more you look at the pattern, the more you will see the optical illusion.
Buying Magic Spinning Tops
If you would like to buy a magic spinning top, there are several websites you can buy one from. Amazon has spinning tops in its toy section, as does the Top Museum. You can also buy tops in toy and game stores. Learning Company and other stores dedicated to educational products are more likely to have magic spinning tops than other companies.
Making a Magic Spinning Top
You can easily make your own spinning top out of cardboard. You can print out patterns from Amazing Illusions (see Resources). Glue each pattern to a piece of cardboard and cut it out. Punch a hole in the center and put a pencil through the hole. Use the pencil as a spinner and watch your magic top spin.