Stuff You Should Know SYSK's 12 Days of Christmas… Toys: Hula-Hoops: The Toy That's A Shape
Dec 12, 2025
Dive into the fascinating world of Hula Hoops! Discover their cultural significance from ancient Egypt to the 1950s Hoop Boom. Explore the quirky dangers of hoop play in medieval Britain, and how Native American traditions enriched its history. Learn about the physics of hooping, including the biomechanics involved. Uncover the rise of Wham-O and the hoop's global craze, along with fun hoop games and fitness benefits. Plus, hear about unique art and record-breaking feats—all revolving around the iconic Hula Hoop!
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Ancient Roots Of The Hoop
- Hula-hoop-like play dates back to ancient cultures including Egypt and Greece.
- The toy evolved from rolling hoops and fitness uses long before modern reinvention.
Wham-O Sparked The 1958 Hoop Boom
- Wham-O transformed wooden hoops into polyethylene 40-inch hoops and colored them for mass appeal.
- The 1958 craze sold tens of millions worldwide and made huge short-term profits.
Trademark, Not Patent
- Wham-O couldn't patent the hula hoop because it's an ancient concept, but they trademarked the name.
- That trademark helped 'hula hoop' become the common term in the U.S.
