The iconic outdoor brand gears up for major anniversaries next year. by MADDIE MICHALIK, outgoing editor-in-chief
WHAM-O TURNS 75 The classics never go out of style. Next year, Wham-O has major plans to celebrate the company’s 75th anniversary, in addition to three major milestones for some of its most iconic brands. Wham-O is behind some of the most recognizable toy properties of all time, including Frisbee, Slip ‘N Slide, Hula Hoop, Hacky Sack, Superball, Trac-Ball, and Boogie Body Boards. Plus, the company’s legacy lives on with several licensees that will introduce products in new categories, including Jazwares for pet toys; Winning Moves Games for a retro line including Frisbee, Superball, and Hacky Sack, with a reintroduction of the Slip ‘N Slide planned for next year; and Bentex for a new line of adult and kids’ apparel next year. Honoring the legacy that Arthur “Spud” Melin and Richard Knerr left behind when they founded Wham-O in 1948, the company will debut a new logo and will create a special, limited edition Frisbee in honor of its 75th anniversary. Stay tuned for many more announcements in the next few months!
65 YEARS OF A POP CULTURE PHENOMENON The modern Hula Hoop was inspired by Joan Anderson’s trip to Australia in 1957, when she learned that kids were playing with bamboo rings to exercise. One year later, Wham-O began manufacturing 42-inch diameter hoops made from plastic. The fad began in July 1958 when 25 million units were sold in less than four months, and sales reached more than 100 million hoops in two years. The Strong inducted the Hula Hoop into its National Toy Hall of Fame in 1999. There are more than 20 types of Hula Hoops sold today, including light-up, do-it-yourself, and glow-in-the-dark versions.
98 THE TOY BOOK | SEPTEMBER 2022 | toybook.com
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