Skip to content
What Is A Whirlygig?

What Is A Whirlygig?

A whirligig combines the functionalities of a windmill and a weathervane. In short, it’s a weathervane that has a windmill on one part to assist it in better catching the wind. Even though whirligigs are designed to show wind direction, they have become more related to their use as children’s toys and in yard ornamentation. Most have amusing or artistic designs so that the windmill’s function will drive mechanical movements in wooden figures that are shaped like animals or people.

Most professionals think the whirligig is extremely old, which dates back as far as the 1100s inside Europe, yet they definitely were a common kid’s toy a couple of hundred years later within the medieval age. During that time, they also were used in farms in order to show wind direction. Specialists think the whirligig toys within those times highlighted individuals spinning swords or additional implements, amongst numerous potential designs. The version utilized in farms might’ve been more practical without any special ornamentation.

Whirligigs may be utilized either with an individual’s hand or inside the ground as an ornament or for another purpose. Using them as a hand toy generally is related to a time when kids relied on simple wooden toys. With time, it has become increasingly common to witness a whirligig as a yard decoration. As a matter of fact, some individuals collecting these devices might place dozens of them inside their yards.

Occasionally a whirligig is designed so that a figure's arms are its windmills, yet they also can be somewhat more complicated than that. A few are designed to harness the wind’s power and utilize it to drive complicated mechanical movements. For instance, a whirligig might be designed with a figure that sits on a bike. The windmill might capture the wind power then cause the figure to pedal its bicycle, potentially making its wheels turn.

In most instances, a whirligig might be designed of plastic, yet traditionally, they’re designed of wood. They might be weatherproofed to an extent; however, that is not always enough to keep a whirligig from becoming damaged by exposure to outdoor moisture. Most of them rotted away over time. For that reason, older whirligigs are pretty difficult to locate, and they’ve become a huge collector’s item. Also, there are several craftsmen who make them using traditional methods, and they’re also collected.

Hanging Wind Spinners

Garden spinners, or wind spinners are pinwheel-like, colorful decorations you may use to brighten up a garden, patio, yard, or a home. Available in multiple designs and styles, wind spinners fly as the wind blows, and also can serve a vital purpose: These spinners keep annoying critters away from the yard. Ranging from brightly colored canvas spinners to shiny metallic ones, the decorations are available in various sizes and shapes that complement yard decor. Liven the place up and keep pests far away from the patio as you add the calming motion of spinning designs to an indoor or outdoor area. In this section we discuss how to hang wind spinners:

Tree Hanging

There will include several places to hang garden wind chimes or a spinner, which includes on trees. Buy an S-shaped hook which fits over a horizontal tree branch then loop it around the tree branch. Be certain the hook securely fits. Utilize the hook’s bottom to hold the spinner. Merely loop the hook via the hole inside the top of the spinner then slide it to the middle of the hook for solid installation. Next, watch your whirligig rotate in the wind.

Installing into the ground

You might opt to install your decoration into the ground, particularly if you want to place it inside the garden and there aren’t any nearby trees. Also, several spinners look great lining a sidewalk, nestled inside bushes, or put around the backyard patio, deck area, or pool.

To put the decoration into the ground, utilize a shepherd's hook. Grasp the hook and hammer then tap the hook inside the soil, a minimum of 6” into the ground for optimum firmness. Slip your spinner over the tip of the shepherd's hook then adjust it if needed. One other option for a bigger decoration includes using a ground mount that secures your spinner into the ground.

Flagpole Spinner

You don’t need to have a flag on a flagpole. Become creative and instead, hang the spinner there. To add the wind spinner to the house's flagpole, whether it’s close to the door or inside the yard, buy a swiveling eyelet in order for the decoration to have the ideal area to secure onto. Swiveling eyelets include small holes that allow you to easily and safely hang the spinner from a flagpole. When the wind blows, the eyelet will rotate, allowing the wind to move the spinner from side to side.

Hook Hanging

Search the patio and think about where you’d enjoy placing the wind spinner. Use your drill to make a tiny hole then put in an S-shaped hook where you want the spinner to go. Drill a hole somewhat narrower than your hook. You also can utilize a plant-hanging kit to do it. Push the hook through the hole then slip the wind spinner over your hook. They double as planter hooks for using outdoors or indoors.

Hanging Inside

A gorgeous wind twirler will add dazzle to an inside sunroom or atrium, or merely livens your kitchen or sitting room up. To connect the spinner right to a window, utilize a clear suction cup then loop a fishing line or hook over it that secures the spinner to the window. One other concept for indoor hanging includes using clear fishing line that hangs a line of twirlers from a curtain’s rod in order for the decorations to reflect in the sunlight.

As with patio hanging, it’s possible to use a threaded hook that is similar to the hooks used for indoor planters then drill the threaded part into the ceiling and hang the hook included through the loop. Next, hang your spinner on your hook and appreciate the appearance of the wind spinner anywhere inside your house.

Find Your Whirlygig

 

Next article 18 Types of Bird Feed Explained