About Us

Our Story: A Legacy of Innovation

The Tangle story begins in 1981, when sculptor Richard X. Zawitz crafted the very first Tangle. Driven by a passion for art, movement, and organic form, he designed a simple yet revolutionary series of interconnected curved segments that could be twisted, bent, and shaped into endless configurations. What started as a unique artistic creation soon revealed a deeper purpose: its satisfying tactile nature made it remarkably effective for improving hand coordination and fine motor skills.

Recognizing its broader potential, Tangle entered a pivotal partnership in 1989 with Slinky® — a collaboration that marked our transition from a novel concept to a trusted tool for play and therapy.

A Defining Moment: Partnership & Mass Appeal

The 1990s were a transformative era for Tangle. From 1995 to 1997, we partnered with industry giants Mattel and Nickelodeon for high-profile product placements with Disney® and McDonald's®. These collaborations catapulted Tangle into the cultural spotlight, proving its universal appeal across all ages. The result was a staggering milestone: over 40 million units sold through television and mail-order campaigns.

Our momentum only grew stronger. Between 2004 and 2007, Tangle forged a major retail partnership with Walmart, making our products available in more than 3,200 stores across the United States. This partnership cemented Tangle as a household name and introduced our sensory solutions to millions of new families.

Evolution & Innovation

We never stopped innovating. In 2013, we launched NightBall® — a line of light-up LED sports balls that blended our signature Tangle design with brilliant, super-bright LED technology. The result was a whole new way to play, combining kinetic creativity with dazzling illumination.

In 2017, Tangle was distributed by ZURU, and a television commercial for the brand quickly amassed over 6 million views on YouTube, introducing a new generation to the timeless appeal of fidgeting.

A Therapeutic Toy for Everyone

While we're proud of our commercial milestones, our true purpose has always been to help people. Tangle toys are trusted in educational settings, therapy sessions, offices, and homes as effective tools for improving concentration, reducing anxiety, and encouraging mindfulness. We've earned a devoted following among individuals with sensory processing disorders, ADHD, autism, and other conditions — as well as anyone simply looking for a fun, calming way to fidget and unwind.

We're deeply honored that our commitment to this mission was recently recognized. In 2024, Tangle was named Winner: Best Sensory Toy of the Year by ASTRA (the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association) — a testament to the lasting impact of our products.

Looking Ahead

Today, with over 250 million units sold worldwide, our mission remains as clear as it was in 1981: to bring joy, comfort, and focus to people of all ages through the power of creative play.

Thank you for being part of our journey.

Wholesale Catalogs

Take a visual tour of our full product line. Pricing and order minimums are provided upon approval - just apply here.

📄 [2026 Product Catalog (PDF)]
📄 [2025 Product Catalog (PDF)]
📄 [2023 Product Catalog (PDF)]
📄 [2022 Product Catalog (PDF)]