Did you know that the origin of Fuzzy dice most likely dates back to World War II?
While there is no official record to show exactly when and where the fuzzy dice phenomenon began, their origins can be traced back to courageous American military pilots serving overseas in World War II.
During the war, American military pilots would carry lucky charms with them, including poker chips, playing cards, and dice. The thought was, if they could bring good luck at the gambling tables, these lucky talismans might be able to bring the pilots good luck in combat, too. Pilots would put a pair of dice in the cockpit with seven pips up for good luck as they flew their dangerous sorties. Another more somber theory is that the dice were used to remind them that each mission’s success was a “roll of the dice” with only the lucky ones getting to go home. After all, the US was losing an average of 170 aircraft per day by 1942. It’s understandable how many of these pilots became superstitious, adopting good luck charms and rituals for their missions.
As these servicemen came home after the war with their extensive mechanical skills, experience flying perilously fast, and often very little money in their pockets, many found creative outlets for their need for speed by souping-up old cars, bringing along the dice as a possible good luck charm when racing. But those little dice would often fall off the dash, get lost, or melt in the hot sun. Gluing them to a chain and hanging them from the rear-view mirror caused a different set of problems. The solution? Some ingenious girlfriends started crocheting pairs of dice for their boyfriends as tokens of their affection.
Originally, displaying fuzzy dice in a hot rod was the equivalent of posting a resume – not only for the car being driven but for the driver’s skills behind the wheel, as well. Many of these drivers participated in illegal street racing—willingly “rolling the dice with death”—and giving birth to the hot-rodder counterculture. They caught on so well that some clever businesses started selling fuzzy dice. Soon the cute little cubes were hanging from rear-view mirrors of every hot rod in town.
Losing Their Bad Boy Reputation… For the Most Part
The trend continued post-war through the 1980’s as a way for car owners (who were no more likely to engage in racing than any other driver, according to an article by liveaboutdotcom) to express themselves and add a little flair to their automobile. They could be seen in movies, television, and other media, as well.
But every fad peaks, and then the inevitable decline follows. The fuzzy dice eventually lost their reputation as a symbol of adrenaline-seeking drivers. Today, the fuzzy dice are more a symbol of nostalgia. And while they aren’t as popular as they once were, you can spot them at nearly every car show around, dangling from the rear-view mirrors of those beloved classic cars and trucks, to be admired in all of their glory. But if you want to adopt this treasured token of better times, check with your state’s regulations, as hanging fuzzy dice from your rearview mirror may be outlawed.
Why has the Fuzzy Dice Phenomena Lasted?
Perhaps it’s nostalgia, taking some back to a simpler, yet more exciting time and place from their youth, or it’s the stories from Grandpa’s wilder times, these fluffy icons have a place in America’s history. When you think about the other fads that have come and gone – from foxtails hanging from Model Ts to Hula Girls, bobble-head dogs, Garfield™ the Cat, and “Baby On Board™” signs – nothing has endured like the fuzzy dice. Maybe there’s a little magic in them after all.