High Five to UPTOP : An Evolution

We sometimes get asked, what exactly is an UPTOP? Well, aside from a lifestyle clothing brand born in Butte that represents enjoying life's moments to the fullest, UPTOP is a celebration. 

One of the basic forms of human contact is the act of connecting hands. Whether a handshake or a high five, when two or more people are looking for a way to say "hell yeah", a hand-to-hand connection is a the way to go. As you'll see, the high-five has undergone a fascinating evolution over the years. 

The High Five is Born

The year was 1977. It was the last day of regular season play and the Los Angeles Dodgers had just become the first team to have four different players each hit 30 home runs.  In triumphant celebration, a player ran toward another with his hand outstretched...and the other player smacked his hand in return.  In that moment, the high five became official.  It’s strange to think that something like the high five is fairly new in history, but 1977 is most often recognized as the official date of inception.  From these beginnings, however, the high five would go on to become much more.

The High Five Grows Up:

The high five has, of course, evolved over time.  Today, at sporting events across the country, the UPTOP is now a full body expression of excitement usually completed while both parties are in midair.  Sometimes it includes a chest bump, sometimes it’s back-to-back or side-to-side...there are countless combinations.  The important thing to remember is that the high five is as variable as the people performing it.

The UPTOP Sets Records:

High fives and UPTOPs now hold a significant place in human communication, being a near universal way to express positive emotions and encouragement. While sporting events, such asthe Olympics, are hotbeds of high five activity, the UPTOP is not limited to the playing field.  For instance, the world record for most people performing a jumping high five was set in London, when 857 people simultaneously high five'd while in midair on June 23, 2015.  In fact, setting high five records is serious business, as the list of more than 50 records on this website demonstrates.

Respect the UPTOP

 
As with many things in life, practice makes perfect.  For every milestone in the evolution of the UPTOP, there are also moments when things can get out of hand, as shown in the video above.  In fact, it is not uncommon for athletes to injure themselves while celebrating an on-field triumph.  But it’s human nature to celebrate and it’s fun to perform an UPTOP, so regardless of the risks, it’s safe to bet that high fives and UPTOPs are here to stay. 

Looking to the future, it’s hard to imagine what form the UPTOP will take.  As human ingenuity continues to push onward and upward, people will find ways to make the UPTOP even more intense and outrageous.  The results should be fantastic to witness!