Fuzzy dice

Origin and history

The use of fuzzy dice is believed to be traced back to American fighter pilots during World War II. 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 rearview 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...".

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".

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.

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

In some jurisdictions, suspending objects from rearview mirrors is illegal.

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

References

References

1. Spicer, Stuart. (2001). "Dream Schemes II: Exotic Airliner Art". Motorbooks International.
2. (5 December 1997). "Style: Cheesy does it". The Independent.
3. Vokins, Stephen. (2008). "Nodding dogs & vinyl roofs: the weird world of quirky car accessories". Haynes.
4. Stefansson, Klara. (3 May 2018). "Från ekorrsvans till doftgran – här är fem bilprylar vi minns". Metro.
5. Coop, Terri Lynn. (24 May 2019). "The Surprising History of Fuzzy Dice".
6. (1993). "Encyclopedia of American Social History". Scribner.
7. (26 April 2017). "The Rolling Story of Fuzzy Dice". The News Wheel.
8. (1981). "Natural History". American Museum of Natural History.
9. (1 April 1993). "Fuzzy dice, dream cars, and indecent gestures: correlates of driver behavior?". Accident Analysis & Prevention.
10. Torres-Cortez, Ricardo. (16 June 2016). "Think twice before hanging those fuzzy dice — here's why". Las Vegas Sun Newspaper.
11. Petrány, Máté. (7 October 2013). "The Ten Most Obscure Car Laws in the US". Jalopnik.
12. Mello, Michael. (23 March 2011). "Fuzzy dice and the law". Orange County Register.
13. (8 August 2019). "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".
14. (9 August 2019). "How hanging an air freshener or fluffy dice from your mirror could cost you £1,000".
15. (14 April 2008). "Fuzzy Car Dice Gets a Lame, 21st Century Upgrade". Jalopnik.