Duncan Yo-Yo History

History

• Donald F. Duncan, the creator of the Duncan Toys Company, saw his very first yo-yo in 1928 and immediately became interested in it. Duncan, an entrepreneur, teamed up with Hearst Newspapers in 1930 to hold a yo-yo competition. During a 30-day event that Duncan held in connection with this competition, he sold more than 3 million yo-yos.

Growth

• After nearly 20 years in business, Duncan built a new yo-yo factory dedicated exclusively to the building of yo-yos. Because the company knew it was important to continue to build wooden yo-yos, the factory was built in Luck, Wisconsin, which is an area rich in hard maple.

Advertising

• Duncan's first television advertising appeared in 1959, just a few years after television had started to become popular in most American homes. The first ad campaign focused on the Philadelphia area. Thanks to the television commercials, sales in the Philadelphia area increased from $20,000 in 1958 to $100,000 in 1959. In 1960, Duncan continued with its television commercials, and its national sales increased from $2 million in 1961 to $7 million in 1962.

Bankruptcy

• The yo-yo fad did not last long. By 1965, Duncan Yo-Yos was suffering from decreased sales and a long court battle against the Royal Tops Company over the trademark of the toy's name. The courts ruled that "yo-yo" had become a generic term, so the Duncan Toy Company was no longer the only company that could market yo-yos using the term. The court case bankrupted both companies.

  Flambeau Products Corporation bought the Duncan name in 1968. They also bought the company's goodwill, which, in business terms, means its reputation and product superiority. Flambeau now manufactures yo-yos from its plant in Columbus, Indiana.

Worldwide Popularity

• In 1995, Duncan took an advertising leap of faith and created television commercials suggesting that yo-yos were a better alternative to video games. This ad campaign struck a chord with consumers around the globe. In 1996, the yo-yo became a hot seller in Britain, Australia and Japan. The Duncan Toys Company continues to operate to this day, and Duncan Yo-yos continue to be made by Flambeau Products Corporation.