A princess, a dinosaur and a milkshake may not appear to have any characteristics in common, but ask any student what binds these entities together and he or she will say they are just a few of the infinite shapes that make up Silly Bandz. Odds are, there will be a colorful tangle of creatures, plants, food – anything the mind can imagine, including every princess, dinosaur, and milkshake known to mankind wrapped around any wrist.

“I think they are pretty funny,” Ryan Corr, senior, said while sporting his favorite dinosaur-shaped band. “I’m surprised by the amount of people who wear them.”

Sold in packs of 12 for $2.50 or 24 for $5, Silly Bandz come in countless colors and themes. Typically, they are worn like any bracelet, but upon removal, Silly Bandz will twist back into their original shape.

“When I first saw them, I thought they were so cool,” Kate Waldemer, junior, said. “I never wear regular jewelry because it always breaks, but Silly Bandz are so durable, especially while playing sports.”

According to The New York Times, Silly Bandz were originally developed in 2002 by a Japanese design team who wanted to create a more environmentally friendly rubber band. In 2010, instead of lying scattered around a desk in an office space, they are more commonly found tightly wound around the wrists of kids of all ages.

“It was such a cool idea and imagine how much money the inventor made off of something so simple,” Corr said.

Silly Bandz were first sold online in November 2008, according to The New York Times. The popularity of these stretchy silicone bands soon flourished and became widespread across the south by October 2009. “They are popular because people can relate to them,” Waldemer said. “You can always have your favorite shape or animal with you, and almost all of mine have different stories behind them, so it’s a good way to carry those memories.”

Despite the apparent abundance of Silly Bandz, some students, like sophomore Allyson Snyder, refuse to partake in the growing trend.

“It’s the most pointless invention I’ve ever seen,” Snyder said. “If you need a rubber band or a bracelet, why not just go out and buy a normal one? Rubber bands and bracelets can be pretty without being in the shape of animals.”

According to fans, just a regular bracelet or rubber band cannot compare to the eye-catching color and shapes only Silly Bandz deliver.

“They are just something colorful to wear,” Caroline Bequette, senior, said. “Everyone has them, so obviously you don’t want to be the only one left out.”

DECA members will begin a fundraiser selling Kirkwood-style Silly Bandz to help students pay for academic competitions. “It seems like it’s a hip-hop thing going on so we’re trying to take advantage of it,”said Bryce Bunton, teacher and DECA sponsor. Sales will begin early September. Bandz are priced at 3 for one dollar or 50 cents each.