Foam Hand
A Foam Hand ( German foam hand ), also called foam finger, is an essay of foam or similar materials in the form of a hand with a raised index finger. It is worn on the hand or the arm and serves, like banners or Fantrikots, to bring the attachment to a sport team or a candidate for a political candidate to express. Foam Hands found mainly in the United States use, where they are worn in sports stadiums and at campaign events.
History
It was invented in 1978 by the Foam Hand Geral Fauss, a U.S. high school teacher. Fauss, who taught manual work at the Cypress Fairbanks ISD, built the first Foam Hand of pressboard to cheer on the football team in high school in the finals of the Texas State Ausscheides. The shape selected Fauss based on students who cried during the football games with an outstretched arm and forefinger " We're number one! " To cheer on their team. This first hand had a sawn-out handle on the "wrist ", in which they could be held and swung. In addition, she was provided with "# 1" in the colors of the high school.
The hand quickly became a success after Fauss they first sold at the Cotton Bowl Final 1978. These early sales success meant that he quit his job as a high school teacher and was able to earn his livelihood with the production of the pressboard hands. To this end, he founded his own company, Spirit Hands Co. (later Spirit Industries) and moved into a disused tin manufactory, which belonged to his father.
Fauss experimented with different materials and shapes to address the shortcomings of the first prototype: The pressboard was heavy and could not be swung over a full cycle duration to the handle. In addition, there was injury if the hard pressboard met bystanders fans. Attempts to replace the pressboard by carton, failed due to the fragility of this material, including polystyrene proved to be too brittle. In 1979 came the first hand in today's foam shape: She was both dimensionally stable and soft enough not to hurt anyone and also weighed so little that they could keep the entire game. The original handle was replaced by an opening in the foam, into which one could put their own hands. The foam could be easily printed beyond what opened up a range of design options. Fauss sold these Foam Hands at the Sugar Bowl in 1979 and was able to sell its entire stock. The broadcast of the game on television made for a promotional effect, so that the Foam Hands more widespread. They are now an integral part of the assortment of fan shops.
Molding
In addition to the classic shape with a raised index finger and the # 1 print more variants exist which form and color are concerned. So Spirit Industries provides hands in sizes from 40 to 55 cm. Common forms are hands with middle finger, thumb outstretched or Vulkaniergruß. Fancier designs differ greatly from the original by showing motifs reminding remotely resembling hands or something entirely different pose.