I suspect the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa will not be remembered for the highs and lows of football teams. Not for the disappointing performances of Rooney or Germany; not even for the sideline antics of Diego Maradona, but for the omnipresent humming noise of the vuvuzela will people remember the 2010 World Cup Finals.

The vuvuzela has its roots in the corneta or horn used in Latin America by football fans since the 1970s. Freddie 'Saddam' Maake from South Africa claims to have made the first vuvuzela out of tin in 1965. He did much to popularize the instrument by attending national and international games brandishing his tin trumpet. It wasn't, however, until 2001 that the cheap vuvuzela made of plastic was mass produced. Since then it has become a big favorite with African football fans. Fans throughout the continent blow their vuvuzelas incessantly to support their team. The thinking is that if they can make more noise than the opposing group of supporters then they can intimidate the opposition and give their team an advantage.

From the very first game at the 2010 World Cup Finals the constant drone of the vuvuzela drowned out all other crowd noises. It was hard to tell which team the vuvuzela playing fans were supporting. To those who watched the games back in Europe, North America and Australasia many must have been thinking: "What is that noise?" No doubt many people don't like vuvuzelas. The loud monotone dominates the atmosphere of a soccer game and takes away the boos, chants and songs of the fans. Many of the players and coaching staff have publically and privately been critical of the vuvuzela horn because communication on the pitch was made difficult.

The funny thing is that despite all the criticism, the vuvuzela was a massive commercial success. Tokyo retail outlets sold out of vuvuzelas just a few days into the competition. The cheap vuvuzela hit the top selling toys list on Amazon. I don't think anybody expected such a keen interest to develop for the vuvuzela. So why are people so interested in the vuvuzela?

I think the answer partly lies with the Amazon evidence. The simple single note horn appealed to children. For children it is fun to have a toy instrument that is easy to play. All you have to do is blow through compressed lips. Also the vuvuzela is incredibly loud. The longer vuvuzelas (which were banned from the 2010 Finals) can make a noise more than 120 decibels in volume. This is so loud it can damage the eardrums of anyone unfortunate to be standing next to the horn opening. Whereas no one voice can be heard above the din of a crowd, definitely one vuvuzela is powerful and loud enough to be remarked above the general crowd noise. Everyone wants to be heard and the vuvuzela lets you be heard.