Whipping Tops

In order to drive a whip spinning top, it must be whipped from the side in the truest sense of the word. Continuous beating is required to maintain the momentum over a longer period of time. The material of the whip has always been of decisive importance. In Europe, eel skin was traditionally used for this, which was both cheap and soft, and very resistant. In America, Asia or more primitive cultures people used different skins, fibres or woven ribbons.