A Chinese finger trap (also known as a Chinese finger puzzle, Chinese thumb cuff, Chinese handcuffs, and similar variants) is a gag toy used to play a

practical joke A practical joke or prank is a trick played on people, generally causing the victim to experience embarrassment, perplexity, confusion, or discomfort.Marsh, Moira. 2015. ''Practically Joking''. Logan: Utah State University Press. The perpetrat ...

on unsuspecting children and adults. The finger trap is a simple puzzle that traps the victim's fingers (often the

index finger The index finger (also referred to as forefinger, first finger, second finger, pointer finger, trigger finger, digitus secundus, digitus II, and many other terms) is the second digit of a human hand. It is located between the thumb and the m ...

s) in both ends of a small cylinder woven from

bamboo Bamboos are a diverse group of mostly evergreen perennial plant, perennial flowering plants making up the subfamily (biology), subfamily Bambusoideae of the grass family Poaceae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family, in th ...

. The initial reaction of the victim is often to pull their fingers outward, but this only tightens the trap. The key to escape the trap is to push the ends toward the middle, which enlarges the openings and frees the fingers.

History

A single-ended version of the device, sold as a "girlfriend trap", has been available since at least 1870, back when it was recorded as ''Mädchenfänger'' or the German translation "Girl Catchers". The first recorded use of the term ''finger trap'' to characterize the toy was in 1900 in an American newspaper. The earliest known use of the term ''Chinese finger trap'' was in 1953, in an advertisement for the device in a newspaper in the American state of Ohio."finger trap, n., sense 2". ''Oxford English Dictionary'', Oxford University Press, July 2023,

Design

The tightening is simply a normal behavior of a cylindrical, helically wound

braid A braid (also referred to as a plait; ) is a complex structure or pattern formed by interlacing three or more strands of flexible material such as textile yarns, wire, or hair. The simplest and most common version is a flat, solid, three-strand ...

, usually the common biaxial braid. Pulling the entire braid lengthens and narrows it. The length is gained by reducing the angle between the

warp and weft In the manufacture of cloth, warp and weft are the two basic components in weaving to transform thread and yarn into textile fabrics. The vertical ''warp'' yarns are held stationary in tension on a loom (frame) while the horizontal ''weft'' ...

threads at their crossing points, but this reduces the radial distance between opposing sides and hence the overall circumference. The more one pulls, the more the circumference shrinks and the trap tightens. The same effect is used in specialized

textile manufacturing Textile manufacturing or textile engineering is a major industry. It is largely based on the conversion of fibre into yarn, then yarn into fabric. These are then dyed or printed, fabricated into cloth which is then converted into useful good ...

, the

Vivien Kellems Vivien Kellems (June 7, 1896 – January 25, 1975) was an American industrialist, inventor, public speaker, and political candidate who became known for her battle with the Federal government of the United States over withholding unde26 U.S.C ...

cable grip, Indonesian woven

fruit press A fruit press is a device used to separate fruit solids—stems, skins, seeds, pulp, leaves, and detritus—from fruit juice. History In the United States, Madeline Turner invented the Turner's Fruit-Press, in 1916. Cider press A cider pres ...

es, and by fly-fishers. Chinese finger traps are not intended for use as restraint devices. Victims of the prank may break the bamboo strips through physical strength when they pull outwards, attempting to free their fingers and stretching the trap beyond its limits.

Variants

One variation on the Chinese finger trap has uses in orthopedic medicine—namely, providing even pressure to the patient's digit(s) and at the same time immobilizing the joints—and serves a similar purpose as a traction device. Its development goes back to Austria in 1870 when Dr. Steinberger, a dentist at the Rudolfsspital in Vienna, reported the discovery of his doctoral student Schmall, who got the idea to use the toy ''Mädchenfänger'' ("girl catcher") for the extension of fingers and arms. The principle was adapted for the use in surgery, and by 1873 was termed ''Schmall'sches Extensionsgeflecht'' ("Schmall's extension mesh"). Another variant is the towing sock. It uses the same principle to seize the end of a cable to be pulled through a tube or tunnel. Parachute lines are often assembled using finger traps where the line is looped back into itself or another line.

Cultural influence

The Chinese finger trap is a common metaphor for a problem that can be overcome by relaxing, i.e. not trying too hard to solve it; for example, in

acceptance and commitment therapy Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT, typically pronounced as the word "act") is a form of psychotherapy, as well as a branch of clinical behavior analysis. It is an empirically-based psychological intervention that uses acceptance and mindfu ...

. The gag has been used in a number of films and television productions, such as the

Stan Laurel Stan Laurel ( ; born Arthur Stanley Jefferson; 16 June 1890 – 23 February 1965) was an English comic actor, director and writer who was in the comedy double act, duo Laurel and Hardy. He appeared with his comedy partner Oliver Hardy in 107 sh ...

short ''

Dr. Pyckle and Mr. Pryde ''Dr. Pyckle and Mr. Pryde'' (or ''Dr. Pyckle and Mr. Pride'') is a 1925 American silent, black-and-white comedy horror film, directed by Scott Pembroke and Joe Rock (also the producer). The film itself is both a spoof of the previous Dr. ...

'' (1925); the

Our Gang ''Our Gang'' (also known as ''The Little Rascals'' or ''Hal Roach's Rascals'') is an American series of comedy short films chronicling a group of poor neighborhood children and their adventures. Created by film producer Hal Roach, who also pr ...

short ''

Moan and Groan, Inc. ''Moan and Groan, Inc.'' is a 1929 ''Our Gang'' short comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan. Produced by Hal Roach and released to theaters by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, it was the 94th ''Our Gang'' short to be released. Synopsis Friendly neigh ...

'', where they are referred to as Japanese handcuffs (1929); " Romance on the Range" (1942); "The Beast with Twenty Fingers" episode of ''

Dobie Gillis ''The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis'' (also known as simply ''Dobie Gillis'' or ''Max Shulmans Dobie Gillis'' in later seasons and in syndication) is an American sitcom starring Dwayne Hickman that aired on CBS from September 29, 1959, to June 5, 1 ...

'' (1963); the '' Star Trek: The Next Generation'' episode " The Last Outpost" (1987); ''

The Simpsons ''The Simpsons'' is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening and developed by Groening, James L. Brooks and Sam Simon for the Fox Broadcasting Company. It is a Satire (film and television), satirical depiction of American life ...

'' episode " This Little Wiggy" (1998).

References

External links