Spirographâ„¢

This was a toy that grew up with me. I started with my Dad helping me make amazing patterns, then I had a go at the simple ones on my own, to being able to master the big complicated ones myself, and 'compete' with Dad about who could make the neatest versions of the really complicated ones, it was lots of fun and gave me a big sense of accomplishment. It was cheap and portable (colured pens and paper, a board and you were away..) Did anyone else use it to design a pin and string pictures popular in the 70's? I remember my art teacher being really impressed with that project.

- Sue

This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.

I never could draw, but from the moment I got my first Spirograph, I had more fun making beautiful designs, for hours on end. It remains such a delightful memory of my childhood that recently I found myself looking around to get another one. I still can't draw, but this toy made me feel artistic.

- Deborah, Indianapolis

This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.

I have such fond memories of my brother and I making the coolest designs using different colored pens and wheels! We would sit at the kitchen table for hours with this toy!

- Sheri, Fishers, IN

This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.

I used to love to draw & create things. The Spirograph let me create endless possibilities! I would use it for hours. I never liked the holders though - it put holes in the corners of the papers. I still have it & all the pieces (except 1) which my daughter now uses.

- Erin, New Albany, IN

This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.

I loved this when I was a kid. Now that I think about it, I believe this is one of the items that brought out my creative side. It is possible that this toy is partly responsible for my desire to be creative that resulted in cake decorating. What a nice thought I have to think a toy started something that is giving back to kids. I make and donate a cake for birthday wishes every month. This makes me happy.

- Karen, Seekonk, MA

This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.

I loved making all the different designs with Spirograph - especially multi-colored designs and patterns. I could spend hours playing with it.

- Michelle, Terre Haute, IN

This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.

An older lady down the street had a spirograph, and I was invited to come down anytime and play with it. I would have those things spread out everywhere! It was so fun seeing all the different things i could draw with the spirograph. I wish I still had one!

- Lisa, Indianapolis, IN

This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.

This was one of my favorite's growing up. My mom saved it all these years and now my 8 year old daughter uses it! She loves it!

- Kristin, Greenfield, IN

This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.

I always liked too draw, and this was an amazing toy, to me. It was a matter of keeping paper to use it with. There was no end to the designs it would make.

- Yvonne, Portland, TN

This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.

I loved playing with this toy! If I couldn't go outside, I would ask for paper to use my spirograph! I remember using pins to hold it in place and make a design. The cool thing was you could make different designs or recreate favorite ones!

- Vicki, Kokomo, IN

This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.

Oh, how I loved making beautiful designs with my Spirograph. I have wondered, on occasion, why this toy didn't stand the test of time.

- Ruthanne, Richmond, IN

This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.

I'm not artistic, but I always felt I could create something beautiful and cool with the Spirograph.

- Gisele, Indianapolis

This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.

I loved the spirograph! It was such a combination of art, geometry and mathematics. If I had one now I'd still be playing with it! (in my sixties)

- Marilyn

This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.