History of the Yo-Yo – Valerie Oliver

The yo-yo’s origins, much like its nature, are shrouded in mystery and motion. While many believe it likely first appeared in ancient China, the earliest recorded reference comes from Greece around 500 B.C. There, these early yo-yos were not just playthings; they held cultural significance. Made from wood, metal, or the delicate, painted clay known as terra cotta, these “disks” (as they were called) were often offered to the gods when a child reached adulthood. Due to their fragility, it’s assumed that the terra cotta versions were ceremonial, rather than toys for active play. A striking vase from this era depicts a young Greek boy playing with a yo-yo—a testament to how long the simple joy of this toy has persisted. Today, both that vase and an ancient terra cotta yo-yo can be found in the National Museum of Athens, a reminder of the timelessness of this curious object.

Interestingly, yo-yo-like shapes have also been found in ancient Egyptian temples, etched into the walls as part of sacred drawings, hinting at a far-reaching fascination with the toy’s form. Some even speculate about its use by 16th-century Filipino hunters, who supposedly used a weapon that closely resembles a yo-yo. Tied to long cords, they would hurl stones at wild game and reel the stones back up for another attempt. While this narrative paints an intriguing picture, it’s likely more fiction than fact. However, the yo-yo certainly made its way from China to the Philippines, where it became a beloved children’s toy.

Fast forward to 1765 India, and a hand-painted box featuring a girl in a red dress with her yo-yo marks the next known historical reference. From there, the toy traveled across continents and into the hands of the European aristocracy, gaining favor among the wealthy in Scotland, France, and England. In France, it even acquired political significance during the tumultuous times of the French Revolution. The future King Louis XVII was depicted in a painting, clutching his “l’emigrette”—a name derived from the French term for fleeing the country, symbolic of the aristocracy’s flight during the Reign of Terror. Yo-yos, often made of luxurious materials like ivory or glass, became tokens of an era, soothing the nerves of those who faced the guillotine.

In fact, during the French Revolution, it is said that even soldiers and generals, including Lafayette, took comfort in their yo-yos while awaiting battle. By the late 18th century, the toy had spread throughout France and was commonly referred to as the “joujou de Normandie.” It wasn’t long before the yo-yo hopped across to England, where the Prince of Wales himself, later George IV, was famously depicted playing with one in 1791. By this time, the toy had picked up various names, including “bandalore” and “quiz,” a reflection of its popularity among all social classes.

The first official reference to the yo-yo in the United States came in 1866 when two men from Ohio were awarded a patent for an “improved bandalore.” However, it wasn’t until 1916 that the name “yo-yo” appeared in an article about Filipino toys in Scientific American Supplement. The word “yo-yo,” derived from the Filipino term meaning “come-come” or “to return,” marked the beginning of a new chapter for the toy.

In the Philippines, the yo-yo was more than just a toy; it was a part of everyday life, with skilled woodworkers handcrafting them for generations. It was this Filipino yo-yo that Pedro Flores brought to the U.S. in the 1920s. By 1928, Flores had founded the first yo-yo company in California. His yo-yos were unique, designed with a looped string around the axle, allowing for the now-famous “sleeping” motion that opened up endless trick possibilities.

A businessman named Donald F. Duncan Sr. saw the potential of this new yo-yo and in 1929, bought Flores’ company. Duncan was a visionary marketer, and through demonstrations and competitions, he helped transform the yo-yo from a simple toy into a national craze. By 1932, Duncan had trademarked the word “yo-yo,” forcing competitors to use alternative names like “returning top” or “twirler.” His company eventually became a juggernaut, producing 3,600 yo-yos per hour at its peak.

By the 1960s, yo-yo sales skyrocketed, with the Duncan Company selling 45 million yo-yos in a country with only 40 million children. However, with legal battles over the trademark and mounting expenses, the company went bankrupt in 1965. The Flambeau Plastics Company purchased the Duncan name and continues to produce yo-yos to this day.

The story of the yo-yo doesn’t stop there. In 1985, NASA took a yo-yo aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery, experimenting with how it behaved in zero gravity. The results were fascinating, as the yo-yo couldn’t “sleep” due to the lack of gravity’s downward force. Then, in 1992, the yo-yo made a second journey into space aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis, this time featured in an educational video.