Fuzzy dice explained

Fuzzy dice, also known as fluffy dice, soft dice, or stuffed dice, are an automotive decoration consisting of two oversized (usually six-sided) plush dice which hang from the rear-view mirror. The original fuzzy dice, first used in the 1950s, were white and approximately 3inches across. Nowadays, fuzzy dice come in many colors and various sizes.[1] In Britain and other parts of the world it is considered kitsch to display such items in a car.[2] [3]

Origin and history

The use of fuzzy dice is believed to be traced back to American fighter pilots during World War II.[4] [5] Pilots would hang the dice above their instruments displaying seven pips before a 'sortie' mission for good luck. It is also speculated that the dice represented a high degree of risk associated with the fighter sorties; hundreds of pilots were shot down each week. Upon returning after the war, many airmen continued the tradition.

In the 1950s, the fuzzy dice became one of the first items sold specifically to be hung from a rear-view mirror. The Encyclopedia of American Social History notes that during the 1950s, young adults were drawn to cars that were "customized for speed, painted with vivid colors, stripes, and flames, tuck-and-roll interiors, fuzzy dice suspended from the mirror, rock-and-roll on the radio...".[6]

Another explanation for hanging these in a car has been proposed that "displaying the dice meant the driver was ready and willing to be 'dicing with death' in the dangerous and unregulated world of street racing".[7]

In some segments, such as the lowrider community, research indicated that even the most dedicated individuals "did not attach any significance to the dice" that were hung from their car's rearview mirror.[8]

A 1993 study found no correlation between the use of fuzzy dice and the degree of a driver's reckless driving behavior.[9]

In some jurisdictions, suspending objects from rear-view mirrors is illegal.[10] [11] [12] [13] [14]

A technology upgrade to the product includes illuminated LED plastic dice that change colors.[15]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Spicer, Stuart . Dream Schemes II: Exotic Airliner Art . 2001 . Motorbooks International . 0-7603-1196-X . 77.
  2. Web site: 1997-12-06. Style: Cheesy does it. 2020-07-20. The Independent. en.
  3. Book: Vokins, Stephen . Nodding dogs & vinyl roofs: the weird world of quirky car accessories . 2008 . Haynes . 9781844254224 . to the pure kitsch of nodding dogs and fluffy dice, the motoring world's most vital accessories are gathered here.
  4. Web site: Från ekorrsvans till doftgran – här är fem bilprylar vi minns . Klara . Stefansson . Swedish . Metro . 3 May 2018 . 19 July 2019.
  5. Web site: The Surprising History of Fuzzy Dice . Terri Lynn . Coop . LiveAbout . 24 May 2019 . 18 . 19 July 2019.
  6. Book: Cayton . Mary Kupiec . Gorn . Elliott J. . Williams . Peter W. . Encyclopedia of American Social History . 1993 . Scribner . 9780684194578 . 2345 . 3. 29 March 2021.
  7. News: The Rolling Story of Fuzzy Dice . The News Wheel . ThoughtCo.com . 26 April 2017 . 29 March 2021.
  8. Book: Natural History . 91 . 1981 . American Museum of Natural History . 31 . 29 March 2021.
  9. Hemenway . David . Solnick . Sara J. . Fuzzy dice, dream cars, and indecent gestures: correlates of driver behavior? . Accident Analysis & Prevention . 1 April 1993 . 25 . 2 . 161–170 . 10.1016/0001-4575(93)90056-3 . 8166776 . 0001-4575.
  10. News: Torres-Cortez . Ricardo . Think twice before hanging those fuzzy dice — here's why . Las Vegas Sun Newspaper . 16 June 2016 . 19 July 2019 .
  11. Web site: Petrány . Máté . The Ten Most Obscure Car Laws in the US . Jalopnik . 20 July 2020 . 7 October 2013.
  12. News: Mello . Michael . Fuzzy dice and the law . Orange County Register . 23 March 2011 . 20 July 2020.
  13. Web site: Window stickers, air fresheners and even fluffy dice: The long list of items that Australian drivers can get fined for having in their car - as yet another ludicrous road rule is exposed . msn.com . Australia . 8 August 2019 . 20 July 2020.
  14. Web site: How hanging an air freshener or fluffy dice from your mirror could cost you £1,000 . rac.co.uk . Press Association . 9 August 2019 . 20 July 2020.
  15. Web site: Hudson . Travis . Fuzzy Car Dice Gets a Lame, 21st Century Upgrade . Jalopnik . 14 April 2008 . 29 March 2021.

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