National Yo-Yo Day is June 6th
June 5, 2008 by admin
Filed under Educational
Yo-yos have been great stress relievers and an all-around favorite toy for thousands of years. The design including a string wrapped around an axle was a later innovation and became the more popular design that is still used in most modern yo-yos. They are able to perform more tricks since they can do more than just move up and down!
Near the end of the 1920’s a business man named Donald Duncan, saw someone using a yo-yo. He bought the rights to the little toy and began demonstrating and selling them soon thereafter, but it didn’t really become popular until a 1962 TV ad gave it greater exposure.
Duncan’s plastic yo-yos and the Butterfly® shaped yo-yo were some of the improvements that kept interest levels high. While the original yo-yos of ancient times were meant to be gifts for the gods, now yo-yos are given to children and adults alike.
In the 60’s a lawsuit forced the Duncan’s out of business and the company was bought out by Flambeau Products. They still own the rights today.
Original Duncan Yo-Yo”O-Boy Yo-Yo Toy” circa 1930
Whether you yo-yo to improve your motor skills or to develop new and fascinating tricks, this inexpensive toy is a fun and “addictive” activity! Try one this month in honor of Donald Duncan’s June 6th birthday!
*Note from the Editor: Many cities have activities scheduled for Yo-Yo Competitions. See if your town has one and be a reporter on your blog! If you can go, tell us all about it!
Oh yes, our town has a Yo-Yo meeting. We’re going to have to attend and share some photos.
I remember my first yo-yo- mom bought me one of those “cheat” yo-yo’s that was completely round all over, and was rigged inside to ensure that it would come ‘back’ every time. To this day I am poor on a ‘real’ yo-yo ;o)
I never thought about yo-yo’s bring good to develop motor skills, we might have to go get one today and start practicing!