Try your hand at operating this simple handmade toy.  No batteries necessary. A whimmy diddle is a wooden mechanical toy consisting of two wooden sticks. One stick has a series of notches cut into its side with a propeller attached to the end. To operate, hold this stick stationary in one hand with the notches up and use the 2nd stick to rub rapidly back and forth across the notches, causing the propeller to spin. When operated by an experienced user, you can make the propeller change directions.

For more information on how to correctly operate the whimmy diddle, or make these, as well as other Appalachian toys, see The Foxfire Book of Appalachian Toys and Games.