Spinning Top

A top having a prolate ellipsoid shape comprising:

• an outer surface defined by the equation:
• x2/a2+y2/b2+z2/c2=1
• in which a, b and c are constants and x, y and z are spatial co-ordinates, and in which a=b, a ratio c/a is about 1.5-1.7, the top having a length about a major axis of about 1-6 inches, the top being configured to be initially spun on a surface to rotate around a minor axis and to rotationally move to spin about the major axis.

A method of spinning a top comprising:

• providing the top with a prolate ellipsoid shape having a major axis and a minor axis;
• and
• spinning the top in a lateral position about the minor axis on a surface, the top then rotationally moving to spin about the major axis in an upright position.