Home >> Toys >> Other Toys

Hula Hoop Information

According to The Great Idea Finder, a hula hoop is defined as a "lightweight multicolored plastic hoop that is whirled around the body for play or exercise by the movement of the hips." Although the name Hula-Hoop® was trademarked in the early 1960s, similar inventions have actually been around a lot longer.

Origins
- The concept of hula hooping has origins as far back as 1000 BC. In Egypt, children made their own hula hoops out of dried grapevines. British physicians blamed a "hooping" craze in a series of cases involving dislocated backs and even heart attacks in the early 1800s. An Australian manufacturer sold wooden hula hoops in 1957, which allegedly interested the California toy manufacturer, Wham-O.
Trademark
- The trademark for the Hula-Hoop® brand name belongs to the Wham-O, Inc. toy company in California with registration number 0739307 assigned on October 16th, 1962. Wham-O employees, Arthur K. "Spud" Melin and Richard P. Knerr, are credited as the inventors.
Culture
- Once banned in Japan because the hooping motion seemed indecent, the invention has been the subject of world records for duration, number of hula hoops twirled at a time and largest hoop. A subculture referred to as "Hooping" has evolved, including people who hula hoop with the toy on fire.

Other Toys