Initially, Melin and Knerr marketed them on college campuses by word of mouth. Melins African-inspired bright idea fared poorly in comparison. So they marketed abroad, first in Europe, then everywhere, although Japan banned them as lewd, and the Soviet Union called them "an example of the emptiness of American culture". With some of their biggest successes selling for under a dollar, no one was priced out of enjoying them. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Kids would just throw it on the ground and it would just take off to the ceiling, into lights.". Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? In 1957, an Australian visiting California told them offhand that in his home country, children We didnt want it used as a toy, Melin told the Pasadena Star-News in 1998. Wham-O's initial success was a result of its founders' insight. TIME reporter Allie Townsend picks the 100 most influential toys from 1923 to the present. 2023, A&E Television Networks, LLC. This browser does not support getting your location. We strive for accuracy and fairness. COSTA MESA, California, Jun 29, 2002 (AP WorldStream via COMTEX) -- Arthur "Spud" Melin, co-founder of the toy company that introduced the world to the Frisbee, Hula Hoop and other faddish gems of American pop culture, has died. Wham-O kept an open door to inventors, pro or amateur: 20 nutty ideas arrived daily, including, in the early 1960s, the offer from a chemical engineer of an accidentally compressed plastic, Zectron, which bounced uncontrollably. Head to one of these 8 L.A. spots for the perfect spring paddle. Failed to delete flower. With other products, Wham-O tried to capitalize on existing national trends. In 1958, the founders of Wham-O toys, Richard Knerr and Arthur "Spud" Melin, Vintage plastic Mr. According to company legend, a visiting Australian casually mentioned to Spud Melin how, back home as a kid, he had rotated a rattan, or bamboo hoop, around his waist in gym class. They just banned Elvis Presley's hips from the Ed Sullivan show.' Arthur 'Spud' Melin, novelty inventor, born December 30 1924; died June 28 2002, The man who brought us the Hula-Hoop and the Frisbee, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. Soon, crowds of teenagers rotating their hula hoops were featured in Life magazine and on the Dinah Shore Show. Its first hit toy, a flying plastic disc known as the Frisbee, debuted in 1957. During the first half of the 20th century, the best way to see someone use a hula hoop was to watch Chinese acrobats twirl multiple hoops on their arms, legs and torsos. Whatever the truth, in 1948 two ex-army pilots adapted the principle, and, in 1951, one Fred Morrison used war surplus plastic to produce the Rotary Fingernail Clipper, later known as the Flyin' Saucer. ). Fewpeople in the history of fun can have had such success as Arthur (Spud) Melin, who died on June 28th aged 77, the co-inventor of the Hula-Hoop and manufacturer of the Frisbee, the Superball, the Hacky Sack and a long inventory of wheezes. An hour later, Knerr had the elephant returned to the circus. Arthur Melin, the co-founder of Wham-O, which introduced fads like the Hula-Hoop and lasting diversions like the Frisbee, died on Friday at a care center in Costa Try again later. Millions of rings sat in piles like gargantuan wrist bracelets. By 1957, the company had sold several million of the disks.But nothing could compare to the whirlwind force of the Hula-Hoop, which Wham-O introduced the next year. By 1994, when Mattel purchased Wham-O, the San Gabriel factory was down to a skeleton crew keeping up production of only a handful of products. When lawsuits were brought over serious injuriesincluding one death and two broken necksthe company ceased production.. "I think he proved the American success story. They branched into other sporting goods, including pellet guns, crossbows and daggers. The company ended 1958 with losses of $10,000. Wham-O began selling the disc they called the "Pluto Platter" two years later before modifying it and renaming it the "Frisbee.". But I think this country gave us more than we gave it. Knerr and Melin devised a test of an early version of the hula hoop in 1958 by holding demonstrations at parks. However, his most famous offspring happens to work in the football industry. Instead of counting a fortune, Wham-O was sitting on inventory they wouldnt clear for years. A toy maker from Australia gave Mr. Mullin and Mr. Knerr a wooden exercise hoop used in gymnastics classes. By various estimates, 20 million to 40 million were sold that year worldwide. A series of equally ingenious toys including Slip 'N Slide, Silly String, the Hula Hoop and the insanely bouncy Superball would soon follow. Soon, crowds of teenagers rotating their hula hoops were featured in Life magazine and on the Dinah Shore Show. WebArthur Spud Melin has recently died. In 1957, Wham-O, still a fledgling company, took the idea of Australian bamboo "exercise hoops", manufactured them in Marlex, and called their new product the Hula Hoop. Knerr and childhood buddy Arthur "Spud" Melin started a slingshot-selling business in 1948 in Pasadena and called their company Wham-O after what they said was He suggested they start making the toy at Wham-O, the San Gabriel-based company he had started with his childhood friend, Richard Knerr. He gave company officials an impromptu lesson in how to use a rattan hoop imported from Australia. The Hula had been See the article in its original context from. But as quickly as the fad arrived, it ended, when school began, leaving Wham-O with millions of hoops and a $10,000 loss for the year. When the rains came, the eggs hatched. Find History on Facebook (Opens in a new window), Find History on Twitter (Opens in a new window), Find History on YouTube (Opens in a new window), Find History on Instagram (Opens in a new window), Find History on TikTok (Opens in a new window), Current one is: March 5. Wham-O co-founders Arthur Melin (left) and Richard Knerr try out their toy company's Hula Hoop, a plastic version of a rattan hoop popular in Australia. Resend Activation Email. Other companies began making their own versions, and within four months Americans were spinning 20 million of the hoops and organizing national competitions. Andersons husband consulted Arthur Melin, a business acquaintance, about partnering with Melins company, Wham-O, one of the biggest toy manufacturers at the TheSlip N Slide, Hacky Sack, and several others were also third-party ideas. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. Within four months, 25 million hoops had been sold, according to Wham-O, and hooping was an integral part of American youth culture. He had lived for many years in San Gabriel before his retirement. Following the Hula Hoop, Wham-O continued to produce a steady stream of wacky and beloved novelty items, including the Superball, Water Wiggle, Silly String, Slip n Slide and the Hacky Sack. The cause was Alzheimer's disease, his wife, Suzy, said.Born in Los Angeles, Mr. Melin, known by his childhood nickname Spud, formed Wham-O with a friend, Richard Knerr, in 1948, while they were working for their fathers and attending the University of Southern California.Their inspiration came from a slingshot they had made while hunting with falcons, which was used to shoot meat up to the birds. READ MORE: The History of Must-Have Holiday Toys. The Frisbee and Hula Hoop created fads. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. Then, in 1958, Wham-O toy company founders Richard Knerr and Arthur "Spud" Melin saw the potential in the humble hoop and began to mass-market a 40-in. Family members linked to this person will appear here. Richard Knerr (19252008[2]) and Arthur "Spud" Melin (19242002[3]), two University of Southern California graduates who were friends since their teens, were unhappy with their jobs and decided to start their own business. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. [4] The powerful slingshot was adopted by clubs for competitive target shooting and small game hunting. Headricka veteran who spied on Nazi movements during World War IIpaid college kids to toss the disc on campuses. The company's lines are also more complex, and grouped in related categoriesfor example, the Sea-Doo line (about a dozen products), several Slip 'N Slide variations, and a group of "lawn games". "They really liked enjoying life and enjoying their toys, and they really wanted to share that sense of fun," he says. Nevertheless, the public of all ages also adopted them, buying more than 100 million Frisbees in 30 years. He was 77 and had lived in Irvine, Calif. The cause was Alzheimer's disease, his wife, Suzy, said. A full body orgasm at the L.A. Phil? According to Ripleys Believe It or Not, in April 2004, a performer at the Big Apple Circus in Boston simultaneously spun 100 hoops around her body. Air Blaster (1965), which shot a puff of air that could blow out a candle at 20 feet. By the end of the 1970s, Wham-O had settled into a strange sense of complacency. Melin became active in conservative causes like immigration reform, but continued to pursue inventions. They did not know what to make of it until another friend from Australia showed them how to gyrate their hips, thus spinning the hoop. Knerr and Melin left behind a considerable legacy in the toy world. We wanted it to be a sport.. Around 20 million Super Balls were sold that decade, and the NFL named the Super Bowl games after it.[10]. Search above to list available cemeteries. By 1948, they had moved into Knerr's Los Angeles garage, where Spud Melin cut slingshots with a handsaw, Knerr sanded, and both sold, personally first, then by mail-order and through dealers all over the United States. Real devotees were dubbed Frisbyterians.. Today, Woodmans net worth is estimated at $800 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth, which is actually much lower than his peak valuation of $4.5 billion. Earlier that same year, in January, according to the Guinness World Records, two people in Tokyo, Japan, managed to spin the worlds largest hoopat 13 feet, 4 inchesaround their waists at least three times each. Their first major development was a buy-in - the Frisbee. Long story short, after much effort and rejection, Spud finally got financing for his Hula Hoop, and Wham-O went on to sell some 25 million hoops the first year, making The domestic size sold 20m. And when the novelty products missedlike the "Mr. Hootie" egg rake, meant to help users pluck out bits of egg shell from a cracked eggat least Melin and Knerr managed to amuse themselves. Made of aluminum spars, wood, steel wire and mylar, it was brightly painted to resemble a hawk or owl. You may request to transfer up to 250,000 memorials managed by Find a Grave. In 1948, friends Arthur Melin and Richard Knerr founded a company in California to sell a slingshot they created to shoot meat up to falcons they used for hunting. All rights reserved. Every toy company has a submission policy, says Walsh, who also designs games. For many years, the company's strategy was to maintain eight to twelve simple, inexpensive products such as Frisbees, Super Balls, and Hula Hoops. 0 cemeteries found in Corona del Mar, Orange County, California, USA. But the connection was not coincidental to the success of the Frisbee, which found its earliest acceptance at Eastern colleges. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. Melin retired when Wham-O was sold to Kransco Group Cos. in 1982. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. They were buddies to the end.. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. But I said, 'You can't put that on television. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). See more:12 Wacky Products from Wham-O You Have to See to Believe., That wouldnt fly in todays toy world. Their bowling set consisted of a ball and pins that were sold empty and filled with water to add weight (the innovation also helped reduce shipping costs to retailers); a Wham-O game of catch involved a Pluto Platter, the disc-shaped saucer later re-named Frisbee that some people thought ran along strings; a cap gun that shot peas and beans at pretend cowboys. The two stayed on as consultants for several years, but it wasnt the same. You tell us, Chaperone policy back at Knotts Berry Farm due to unruly and inappropriate behavior, I asked people at Coachella how much money they make and if their ticket was worth it. There would be other fads, trends, and ideas. Melin is survived by his wife, Suzy; five daughters; a brother; and 11 grandchildren. (L to R) Rich Knerr, Fred Morrison, and Arthur Melin. [8] "Hula Hoop mania" continued through the end of 1959, and netted Wham-O $45million (equivalent to $418million in 2023[9]). COSTA MESA, Calif. Arthur "Spud" Melin, co-founder of the toy company that introduced the world to the Frisbee, Hula Hoop and other faddish gems of American pop culture, has died. Magic Window (1971), two 30 by 30 centimetres (12in 12in) oval plates of heavy clear plastic, with a narrow channel between them containing "microdium" (glass) crystal sands of varying colors that created complex patterns when shifted. , It was difficult for dad to see his friends health decline, Lori Knerr says. In 1962, they sold a limbo dance kit to take advantage of that fad; and in 1975, when the movie Jaws was released, they sold plastic shark teeth. Almost certainly not, Vanessa Hudson to replace Alan Joyce as Qantas chief, Covid graduates struggle with teamwork - Deloitte and PwC, Godfather of AI Geoffrey Hinton quits Google and warns over dangers of machine learning, Permanent TSBs interest income jumps 86% on Ulster Bank deal and rising rates, Ukrainian forces shell village in Bryansk region, says Russian governor. Pottery! Wham-O changed the name to Frisbee and began selling the rebranded toy in 1958. They bought a saw at Sears, Roebuck & Company on a monthly payment plan, set it up in a garage and began making and selling slingshots. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. Arthur Melin, the co-founder of Wham-O, which introduced fads like the Hula-Hoop and lasting diversions like the Frisbee, died on Friday at a care center in Costa Mesa, Calif.He was 77 and had lived in Irvine, Calif. All Rights Reserved. Sorry! In 1958, they renamed it the Frisbee, either because that was the phoneticisation of the trade name as heard by Knerr on a college tour, or after Mr Frisbie, a US comic strip. The adolescent appetite for dangerous weapons and sporting goods was so large that the two were soon grossing $100,000 in annual revenue. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. For about a year in the 1950s, the company markets their sporting goods under the name WAMO. Bookbinding! In 1982, Spud Melin and Knerr sold Wham-O to the Kransco Group for $12 million, but Spud Melin kept up his interest in gadgets - at one point, he patented a two-handed tennis racket with an adjustable handle. 2019 TIME USA, LLC. The Frisbee was originally marketed under a different name, the Pluto Platter, in an effort to capitalize on Americas fascination with UFOs. Since then, he has been involved in several experimental treatments, Mrs. Melin said, and he has willed his brain to the University of California at Irvine, where he was treated.Besides his wife, he is survived five daughters, Linda Melin, Sally Melin, June Macy-Melin, Carol Denham and Della Peterson; a brother, Tom Melin; and 11 grandchildren. A group of investors then bought Wham-O back from Mattel in 1997 for about $20 million and relaunched many of its best-known toys, including the Slip 'N Slide. Water Wiggle (1962), a plastic-enclosed curved nozzle that, when powered by a garden hose, became airborne. March 5, 1963: the Hula Hoop, a hip-swiveling toy that became a huge fad across America when it was first marketed by Wham-O in 1958, is patented by the companys co-founder, Arthur Spud Melin. The kinetic energy in the material was substantial: it could bounce over a two-story home. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. Early on, they tried some other, ill-fated endeavors. (It was also 1958, before the advent of more sophisticated distractions.) When the two became interested in falconry in their early 20s, they crafted a slingshot to shoot food into the air to train their birds. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. Wham-O began selling the Hula Hoop a short time later and eventually would sell 25 million of them. On January 31, 2011, Wham-O announced an agreement with ICM, the agency representing Atari video games, to represent Wham-O in movies, television, music, and online content based around its toys.[30]. Wham-O introduced the Hula Hoop in 1958 and was soon producing 20,000 a day. Save . Most wont even look at an idea unless it comes through an agency. After selling more than 100 million Hula Hoops in 16 months, Arthur Spud Melin and Rich Knerr took a look at their books. "They were like John Wayne and Ernest Hemingway all rolled into one. In 1959 Wham-O marketed a slightly modified version, which they had renamed the "Frisbee" two years earlier in 1957 - and once again a Wham-O toy became a common part of life through the 1960s. Youd never see a company making both toys and weapons now. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. Ed Headrick looked over the leftover plastic from the Hula implosion and had an idea. Tens of millions of hoops were snapped up, with Wham-O racing to meet demand. The technology allowed them to dream up all sorts of packaged nonsense. If subjects mastered the swing of it, they got to keep the toy. Wham-O headquarters in Carson, California, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Richard Knerr, 82; co-founded Wham-O, maker of the Hula Hoop and Frisbee", "Super Bowl Owes Its Name to a Bouncy Ball History in the Headlines", "12 Lesser-Known Wham-O Products You Have to See to Believe", "Airgun makers that spawned firearms | Air gun blog Pyramyd Air Report", "Monster Super Gorilla Giant Horseshoe Magnet by Wham-o", "Super Sneaky Squirtin Stick Trademark #73131837, Owner: WHAM-O", "RETRO REVIEW: Wham-O Giant Comics #1 (April 1967)", "MTU Physics Alumni Department History Exhibits BS Degrees", "Get Yourself a Magic Window, just like the popular 70's toy for all ages!
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