TwirlyUps

TwirlyUps are fun things to play with!
(If you can do it!)

Results of TwirlyUp project:

The project to spread joy everywhere didn't fly, but the TwirlyUps did, if you knew how. In the end, in December 2017, I donated thousands of TwirlyUps to SCRAP on Toland Street along with (separately) a heap of special multi-inflating balloons.

Here's the full story:

My research & development in 2010 through 2015 determined that most people can't blow up a balloon! I gave out lots of them at Sunday Streets but even when parents helped, many couldn't inflate the specially-sized 7" balloon powering each flight. (Larger balloons are too heavy and smaller ones haven't got enough power.)

Are people able if they get enough exercise? After minimal research, I believe that lung capacity (related to being in good physical health and having enough exercise) is the limiting factor. Blowing up balloons was made even more difficult when I provided special long-lasting balloons that I required of my manufacturer. They last luch longer but they also require much more pressure the first few times used.

This health deficit is noticeable, even in populations like San Francisco's middle and fancy classes. So, I halted the project! Sigh.

Maybe eventually I'll put a video online of the largest mass ascension of TwirlyUps in (their brief) history which occurred at Pomo Tierra Apple Farm on September 17, 2011. We attempted 50 but only about 20 of them flew because people can be hard to organize to listen to instructions (especially a big crowd of kids).

But if you've read this far, then you probably have good listening skills. So here are flight hints that others mostly failed to follow.

• Make sure when you put it together that each of the three propeller blades snaps into place.

• Once you have it snapped together, stretch the balloon neck over the lip of the blue part. (Some people had troubles with this task, too. Start with one side and hold it with a finger while stretching the other side over the lip.) Separate the blue part from the yellow and use the blue sheath to blow through for inflation.

• As you blow, pinch the balloon neck not the plastic sheath neck, and pinch tightly between blows. Reattach the blue sheath to the yellow part while pinching tightly. This may be hard to do with small fingers but experiment and you'll get it.

• Don't over-inflate the balloon. Six to seven inches is best. Six is not very big. Err on the side of six. The balloon should never get as big as your head. Not even close.

• Don't throw and don't lift. Launch by holding at arm's length and simply let go while your arm is held steady.

• It helps if the propellers are on top and the balloon on the bottom ;-).

If you have questions or ideas, please contact me, Joel, at 415-505-8255 or through my site.

TwirlyUps were inspired by Kits-by-Kids, who helped to educate you at the Maker Faire for two years! (2010 & 11) before the Faire's main event became so corporate. (The smaller ones, like the Mini-Maker Faire in Oakland, are much more grassroots experimenter-friendly.)

Kits-by-Kids had some balloon-powered helicopters at those early Faires. I found that there are many balloon-powered little plastic toys in existence, including a few brands of helicopters. I found the one I thought worked best, contacted the manufacturer through a Chinese friend and got them to allow my design changes to improve flight time, height, fun, wing imagery and of course the name.

But alas, even the best balloon helicopters ever made are no match for breathless humans. Ride a bike!

Licensing (copyleft)