June 6 is celebrated all over the world Yo-Yo toy’s birthday (Yo-Yo). This unusual invention is familiar to everyone from childhood. A yo-yo is two disks connected by an axis on which a rope is wound. Tugging on it spins the toy and returns it back by the laws of inertia.

The history of the invention of Yo-Yo

Some believe that the yo-yo was invented in China as early as 500-1000 BC. The statement is disputed, there is no evidence. Someone points out that the toy originated in Ancient Greece even earlier.

According to manuscripts, in the 16th century, hunters used a similar product to catch prey. Another evidence of the yo-yo’s ancient history was found in India in 1765. Later, the toy appeared in European countries and was available only to wealthy people. Even Napoleon and his soldiers on June 18, 1815, before the Battle of Waterloo, “calmed down” with such a toy.

In 1920, Pedro Flores brought the first Filipino yo-yo to America, established a factory, and began production. Later, in 1928, the patent for the product and the company was bought from him by Donald F. Duncan, an unsurpassed businessman. Advertising and demonstration of competitions with the toy increased interest in it and increased sales.

In 1965, when Duncan had already given permission to other manufacturers to call their products “Yo-yo”, the company went bankrupt and was bought by Flambeau Plastics. In 1978, Tom Kuhn patented the “3 in 1” toy, improving the product. In 1980, Michael Kaffrain invented the “smart yo-yo”. And on April 12, 1985, as part of the NASA project YO-YO flew into space.