Can any one tell me How a Gee Ha stick works. It is a square stick that has notches cut in it extending from on end about an inch on one of the corners. There is a propeller type piece of wood attached to that same end. You the take another stick and rub it accross the notches causing a vibration, which in turn causes the propeller to spin. When you rub the stick back and forth across the notches, you must apply slight ressure to one side of the stick with either your thumb or forefinger. Depending on which side you apply pressure, the propeller will spin in one particular direction. If you then slide your had and apply pressure to the other side, without stoppping the motion with the second stick, the propeller will stop spinning and reverse direction. Now I know this is as clear as mud, but if someone can explain the physics behind it, or whatever makes it change direction, I would appreciate it. If my explanation is not clearm just let me know and I will try to clarify. thanks.
A pic would help.
I don’t have a pic unfortunately. My father had one when I was little, but it hads been gone for years, and I can’t find anything about them on the web. I wish I had a pic to post.
I’ve always heard them refered to as “hooey sticks”.
Click here for an explaination of the hooey stick.
I think this explanation is better: http://www.physics.umd.edu/deptinfo/facilities/lecdem/services/demos/demosg1/g1-81.htm
For the record, Gee and Haw are traditional commands for Left and Right movements on a livestock-drawn farm vehicle. There’s a good chance I’ve got the directions backwards. Anyway, that’s why your traditional wooden toy is called a gee-haw stick.
I can remember this from when I was a kid (quite some time ago). The device I saw was called a “Gee haw whimmy diddle”.