Thanks for the ad, Lourens. That lighted a bulb in my head and made me look for an older thread that I have now merged with this one.
It is interesting that the top was sold unmodified from 1880 to at least 1927: half a century! That in spite that it is more difficult to use than a regular top (contrary to the claims).
Gould and I have a discussion in the past about this top and both of us thought that with this top it may be was possible to write your name in the dust on the street.
The patent says: "The child can also cause the top, while spinning, to move over the floor or ground at will".
