thumb|right|200px|Plate spinnersPlate spinning is a circus manipulation art where a person spins plates, bowls and other flat objects on poles, without them falling off. Plate spinning relies on the gyroscopic effect, in the same way a top stays upright while spinning. Spinning plates are sometimes gimmicked, to help keep the plates on the poles.

History

Plate spinning has existed since at least the 3rd century. It is likely it originated in China but it also has a long history in Western countries from evidence in medieval religious manuscripts. The first book providing instruction for plate spinning was published in 1901.

thumb|right|150px|Chinese Plate Spinners at [[Carnival Festival|Carnaval Festival, Efteling]]

The tune "Sabre Dance" is often played in the background. Erich Brenn performed on the American television program The Ed Sullivan Show and other American variety and talent shows during the early years of American television. Tom Griswold, co-host of The Bob & Tom Show, a syndicated American comedy radio program, occasionally says he wishes he could see a plate spinner on TV again and wants to book one for his staff's annual Christmas party, which Chick McGee cites as further evidence that Griswold is out of touch with contemporary entertainment. In an episode of the Simpsons, at the Springfield Retirement Castle talent show, one participant does a similar act, but uses the dentures of several of the residents. Plate spinning was often seen in HBO's prison drama Oz, where an unnamed prisoner would often be seen spinning a book on the tip of a pen.

The popular British game show The Generation Game would regularly feature plate spinner Andrew Van Buren demonstrating his skills, then inviting the contestants to attempt it. During the 1960s & 1970s German performer Wolfgang Bartschelly popularised plate spinning and regularly appeared on television.

Records

  • The most peoples spinning plates at the same time is 1026 people at an event opening Sportcampus in Utrecht, Netherlands on 25 September 2007.
  • The Guinness World Record for spinning multiple plates is held by David Spathaky assisted by Debbie Woolley, who spun 108 plates simultaneously on a television show in Bangkok, Thailand in 1996.

Notable plate spinners

  • Andrew Van Buren - British plate spinner and juggler.
  • David Spathaky - world record British plate spinner formerly of Ra-Ra Zoo
  • Erich Brenn - American plate spinner [http://www.edsullivan.com/artists/erich-brenn-plate-spinner]
  • Angel Bojilov Jr