The initial murmurs of discomfort soon escalated into serious, unavoidable concerns, transforming the object’s public image from benign amusement to a potential hazard. Reports began to surface detailing a critical flaw in its design: the hard plastic spheres, subjected to countless high-velocity impacts, were prone to cracking and even shattering. This created sharp fragments that posed a genuine risk of injury, particularly to the eyes or face, turning carefree play into an unexpectedly dangerous endeavor. News of minor lacerations and bruised skin, once dismissed as part of the learning curve, now took on a more sinister connotation, prompting widespread alarm. Schools, once vibrant with its rhythmic symphony, swiftly moved to implement outright bans, removing the controversial item from classrooms and playgrounds in an attempt to safeguard children. Manufacturers scrambled, desperately attempting to salvage its dwindling reputation with redesigned versions, incorporating stronger, supposedly shatter-proof materials. Yet, the damage was already done. The once-unquestioned craze began its precipitous decline, fading into obsolescence amidst a cloud of safety worries and regulatory action, leaving an entire generation to wonder what truly became of this once-beloved, now infamous, plaything.
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