![]() In 1959 Wham-O marketed a slightly modified version, which they renamed the Frisbee-and once again a Wham-O toy became a common part of life through the 1960s. In 1955 inventor Fred Morrison began marketing a plastic flying disc called the Pluto Platter. Shortly thereafter, the company had another huge success with the Frisbee. "Hula Hoop mania" continued through the end of 1959, and netted Wham-O $45 million (equivalent to $418 million in 2022 ). 25 million were sold in four months, and in two years sales reached more than 100 million. (The name had been used since the 18th century, but till then was not registered as a trademark.) It became the biggest toy fad in modern history. 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. Marengo Ave in Alhambra, California and then, in 1955, moved their manufacturing plant to neighboring San Gabriel, California where they remained until 1987, when they sold the plant to Huy Fong Foods. When they outgrew the garage, Knerr and Melin rented a building on S. The powerful slingshot was adopted by clubs for competitive target shooting and small game hunting. The name "Wham-O" was inspired by the sound of the slingshot's shot hitting the target. ![]() ![]() Their first product was the Wham-O Slingshot, made of ash wood, which Knerr and Melin promoted by holding demonstrations of their own slingshot skills. In 1948 they formed the WHAM-O Manufacturing Company in the Knerr family garage in South Pasadena. Comes attractively boxed with its own clear polystyrene stand.Richard Knerr (1925–2008 ) and Arthur "Spud" Melin (1924–2002 ), two University of Southern California graduates who were friends since their teens, were unhappy with their jobs and decided to start their own business. The crystals fly, slide and erupt into one pattern after another. Create countless designs, landscapes, seascapes, birds, butterflies just by turning the Magic Window. Unbelievably enchanting and ever-changing. Magic Window toy (blue) – Wham-O retailer catalog page (1977) Wham-O’s Magic Window toy in action (animated gif) Similar interest was reported by the child development-parent educated department at Long Beach City College, where communication between children and adults was further stimulated by the youngsters’ enjoyment. However, the hospital staff soon found its adult patients were equally desirous fo enjoying the recreation it afforded. Serra Memorial Hospital in Sun Valley, California, originally planned to use it in its children’s ward to entertain the youngsters. ![]() Its obvious assets are augmented by a unique facility for entertaining persons with lengthy periods of time to fill, such as airline passengers, persons on lengthy auto trips, hospital patients, shut-ins and preschool youngsters. It was successful in its West Coast test marketing, spurring numerous inquiries from persons throughout the country who had received it as a gift. Individual interpretation and impressions make these swirling patterns emerge as oceans, mountains, flowers and limitless other scenes and patterns.Ī fascinating and creative plaything for children, it is also a provocative and decorative object for adults. Millions of vari-colored, non-toxic Microdium crystals, contained in an oval frame of clear, safe, heavy-duty polystyrene plastic, portray changing moving pictures as it is agitated or revolved. ![]() Wham-O’s Magic Window: A toy for all ages (1973)Ĭreativity and versatility are two of the primary assets which make an exciting and unique toy product from Wham-O, creator or such all-time favorites as Hula Hoop, Frisbee and Silly String.Ī creative plaything for children, “Magic Window” is also a sensory experience for adults, representing a medium of creative interpretation. ![]()
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