Why were yoyos invented

The drive to the store felt like an eternity. When I finally opened the package, the bright, shiny yo-yo smelled of plastic and felt as smooth as ice—it was perfect.

Back at home, I spent hours in the driveway playing with my new toy. Over the next few weeks, I continued to practice and realized that if I flicked my wrist a certain way, the yo-yo would go faster or slower depending upon the amount of energy I used. There is still much debate regarding the origins of the yo-yo. However, the general consensus is that a toy similar to a yo-yo and known as a diabolo originated in China around B. Further evidence of early yo-yo history comes from Ancient Greece.

But because the Supreme Court ruled in a lawsuit that the term yo-yo is now generic, any manufacturer can use that name. So the humble yo-yo, with its ancient Greek or possibly Chinese beginning, has traveled the world, amazed the armies of Napoleon and visited the Supreme Court.

He died in at the age of 10 from tuberculosis. Several companies jumped on the yo-yo bandwagon. In this promotional photo, Cheerios Demonstrator Barney Ryan wows some yo-yo fans. Painting on a Greek urn of a boy and his yo-yo. Photos, courtesy of owner David Hall and www. Current Issue. Article Archive. Classified Section.

Advertiser's List. Internet Directory. Duncan Sr. By , Duncan Sr. The company used over 1,, board feet a year producing the original maple wooden toys. Since Duncan Sr. There have been developments in size, axle type, shape, and material. The shape of a yo-yo can play a role in the type of tricks a yo-yo is able to do.

The butterfly yo-yo is the most common shape. It makes even the most complicated string trick possible and has changed the way yo-yo tricks are performed. Four of the five styles performed at the world yo-yo contest are performed with the butterfly yo-yo.

The modified yo-yo was common in the Playmaxx era—and was one of the greatest selling yo-yos in history. The slightly curved edge of the yo-yos inner wall makes more tricks possible by reducing the friction on the string. Some yo-yo contests do use this shape, such as the Yoyofactory Loop Many people think of a yo-yo, the shape that comes to mind is imperial.

However, this is actually the least used of the yo-yos today. This shape of the yo-yo is great for people learning basic control and tricks. Yo-yos are the number two best-selling toy in history; it is also one of the oldest, with a 2,year history. Your email address will not be published. Menu Skip to right header navigation Skip to main content Skip to primary sidebar Skip to footer. Table of Contents 1 The invention of the yo-yo 1.