Pinwheels are as American as apple pie and have been used as toys for children and decorating lawns across America for generations. Did you know that they have a direct connection with Armenians and even the Armenian Museum of America? Watch the video to see Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian show a 1920s pinwheel from our collection, hear the story of the development of the modern pinwheel, and learn about the familial ties the Museum has with its creation. And, we have another Armenian educational toy featured as well!
Pinwheels are a type of whirligig, an object that spins or whirls and is powered by wind, hand, friction, or motors. Pinwheels have large cupped surface areas to capture the wind, enabling them to reach their maximum velocity quickly. Conceptual and direct use of whirligigs have existed for millennia, dating back to the ancient Babylonian, Chinese, Greek, and Persian worlds, in large and small variations.