Astonomy and Physics professor Kenneth Brecher created this seemingly simple egg-shaped office toy that incorporates scientific, artistic and mathematical elements into its design.
The 'PhiTOP' is described as being in a basic sense a sort of "philosophical" toy that includes elements of a pondering puzzle and an interactive toy. The egg-shaped design lets users spin the toy like a top, and through careful design and a basic understanding of physics the device can go from horizontal to vertical as it spins for two to three minutes at a time.
Made from metal, this office toy also acts as an eye-pleasing standing desk sculpture or paperweight, can be rolled around in the hand to help reduce stress and can even be put into the freezer to act as a non-melting ice cube to cool down a drink of scotch.
What's Driving This Trend
- Scientific Office Toys
- Designing advanced desk toys that incorporate scientific, artistic, and mathematical elements can be a disruptive innovation opportunity for the toy industry.
- Multifunctional Desk Toys
- Designing desk toys that can be used as stress-reducing devices or as decorative sculptures can be a disruptive innovation opportunity for the toy industry.
- Interactive Desk Toys
- Designing interactive desk toys that promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills can be a disruptive innovation opportunity for the educational toy industry.
Who This Affects Most
- Toy Industry
- The toy industry can benefit from the development of scientifically-designed office toys as unique and innovative products.
- Stress-reduction Industry
- The stress-reduction industry can explore the design of desk toys that can be used as stress-relief products to help improve the well-being of individuals in the workplace.
- Educational Toy Industry
- The educational toy industry can benefit from the creation of interactive desk toys that promote learning and critical thinking skills in an engaging and entertaining manner.
