What goes up, must come down

Today's I'm celebrating Yo-Yo Day

In honor of Donald Duncan's birthday and his phenomenal influence he had in the world of yo, today is celebrated as yo-yo day. The history of yo-yo likely originated in China. Although you may find yo-yos today manufactured in China (unfortunately like so many other products), there is a rich history of yo-yo manufacturing in the US. Duncan built his factory in Luck, Wisconsin. They produced 3,600 wooden yo-yos per hour earning the town the nickname: Yo-yo Capital of the World. They used 1,000,000 board feet per year. Duncan then partnered with Flambeau Plastics Company to produce plastic yo-yos. By 1962, the Duncan Company alone sold a record 45 million yo-yos in a country with only 40 million kids. Duncan Yo-Yo once dominated sales producing 85% of all yo-yos being sold in the US. At its peak production, Duncan produced 60,000 yo-yos per day with 640 employees. In 1965, Duncan lost its trademark on the word yo-yo. Also, tragically in 1965 the Duncan Company was forced into bankrupty. Flambeau bought the "Duncan" name and now manufactures and sells 11 different models of Duncan yo-yos today.

The yo-yo has been a big part of US history and entertainment. In 1968 activist Abbie Hoffman was cited for contempt of Congress for "walking the dog" and in 1974 Richard Nixon made headlines when he yo-yo'd on stage at the opening of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. In April of 1985 the yo-yo was first taken into space by NASA and again in July 1992. You may have seen yo-yos in a Simpsons or House episode on television. You may have seen an orderly playing with a yo-yo in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest or the yo-yo tricks throughout the Zoolander film. You can see amazing videos of yo-yo competitors today on YouTube.

Yes, even I owned a yo-yo or two during my childhood. However, I was not very successful in mastering the yo-yo. I'm still amazed watching the yo-yo masters, even today. What do I most fondly recall about "yo yo" during those early teen years? You can see in the video below.

Yo Yo by The Osmond Brothers


As posted on YouTube by nurfana

Image credit: mentalacrobatics.com