A slap bracelet (or snap bracelet) was a

bracelet A bracelet is an article of jewellery that is worn around the wrist. Bracelets may serve different uses, such as being worn as an ornament. When worn as ornaments, bracelets may have a wikt:supportive, supportive function to hold other items of ...

invented by

Wisconsin Wisconsin () is a state in the upper Midwestern United States. Wisconsin is the 25th-largest state by total area and the 20th-most populous. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake M ...

teacher Stuart Anders in 1983, sold originally under the brand name of "Slap Wrap". Consisting of layered, flexible stainless steel bistable

spring Spring(s) may refer to: Common uses * Spring (season), a season of the year * Spring (device), a mechanical device that stores energy * Spring (hydrology), a natural source of water * Spring (mathematics), a geometric surface in the shape of a ...

bands sealed within a

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silicone A silicone or polysiloxane is a polymer made up of siloxane (−R2Si−O−SiR2−, where R = organic group). They are typically colorless oils or rubber-like substances. Silicones are used in sealants, adhesives, lubricants, medicine, cooking ...

, or plastic cover, it can snap around a wrist when slapped on it with some force. It can have many different

colours Color (American English) or colour (British English) is the visual perceptual property deriving from the spectrum of light interacting with the photoreceptor cells of the eyes. Color categories and physical specifications of color are associa ...

and/or designs.

History

Original Slap Wraps had been 23 cm (9 inches) in length, 2.5 cm (1 inch) wide, and made of steel that was 0.15 mm (0.006 inch) thick; although, cheap knock off versions had used thinner steel, which was more likely to break and/or cut the wearer, the dangers of which first came to light in 1990, soon after they were released. It was a popular

fad A fad or trend is any form of collective behavior that develops within a culture, a generation or social group in which a group of people enthusiastically follow an impulse for a short period. Fads are objects or behaviors that achieve short- ...

among

children A child ( : children) is a human being between the stages of birth and puberty, or between the developmental period of infancy and puberty. The legal definition of ''child'' generally refers to a minor, otherwise known as a person younger ...

pre-teens Preadolescence is a stage of human development following middle childhood and preceding adolescence.New Oxford American Dictionary. 2nd Edition. 2005. Oxford University Press. It commonly ends with the beginning of puberty. Preadolescence is c ...

, and

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in the early 1990s. It was available in a wide variety of patterns and colors. The bracelet was banned in several schools following reports of injuries from worn out or modified versions. In 2018, different slap bracelets were recalled: "''The slap bracelet’s metal wristband can pierce the protective fabric around it and expose sharp edges, posing a laceration hazard to young children.''"

References

{{reflist

External links

Whatever Happened To Slap Bracelets? The Dark History Of A Banned, Dirty, and High-Tech Accessory

Bracelets 1990s fads and trends 1990s fashion Products introduced in 1990