A vortex ring toy is any of several toys that generate vortex rings – rolling torus-shapes of fluid, similar in structure to smoke rings – that move through the fluid (most often air, and sometimes water).
Because of the way they rotate, a vortex ring can hold itself together and travel for quite a distance. Toys that blow air vortices, like the air vortex cannon, are mainly used to tickle people or animals at a distance with an "invisible hand". An interesting demonstration is to have a smoker blow a smoke cloud into the toy just before firing, to create a large smoke ring. Some toys have a built-in smoke generator for this purpose.
Famous quotes containing the words vortex, ring and/or toy:
“The Image is more than an idea. It is a vortex or cluster of fused ideas and is endowed with energy.”
—Ezra Pound (1885–1972)
“Good manners have much to do with the emotions. To make them ring true, one must feel them, not merely exhibit them.”
—Amy Vanderbilt (1908–1974)
“The world of men show like a comedy without laughter: populations, interests, government, history; ‘t is all toy figures in a toy house.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)