The Spirograph is a geometric drawing toy that produces mathematical curves known as hypotrochoids and epitrochoids. It was developed by British engineer Denys Fisher.

Fisher first exhibited the Spirograph in 1965 at the Nuremberg International Toy Fair and produced it in Britain. Kenner, Inc., acquired U.S. distribution rights, introducing it in this country in 1966 as a creative toy for drawing "a million marvelous patterns."

Hasbro Hasbro has marketed a variety of sets over the years. Toy company Kahootz also sells updated versions of the original Spirograph sets, including a deluxe set and travel versions.

The set created the most elaborate patterns of swirls and shapes. The Spirograph found its market among budding artists or their parents. It was dubbed the Toy of the Year for 1967 and attracted the eye of the Kenner toy conglomerate. The toy remains popular.

3 years and up Product information

Examples for Spirographs patterns: (a) Lily, (b) Morning Glory, (c) Plumeria, (d) Sunflower, (e) Camellia, (f) Chrysanthemum, (g) Calla, (h) Poppy, (i) Daisy, (j) Lycoris Radiate.

For ages 3 years+.

8 years Product information

Spirograph Home Spirograph Coloring Book! Adults and kids will have fun coloring in the Spirograph designs!

Spirograph is a geometric drawing device that produces mathematical roulette curves of the variety technically known as hypotrochoids and epitrochoids. The well-known toy version was developed by British engineer Denys Fisher and first sold in 1965. The name has been a registered trademark of Hasbro Inc.

INTRODUCTION The basic spirograph set includes numerous circular discs and annuli. To construct a spirograph design, a pencil or pen is placed in one of a number of perfora- tions on a disc, and a pattern is traced as the disc rolls around a fixed annulus.

hypocycloid In that case, the shape it draws is called a hypocycloid – a set of curves which bounce off the outside edge of the circle, moving in towards the middle then back out to the edge. These shapes look like curved pointed stars.