Exhibits Museum of Yo-Yo History

It was this Filipino yo-yo that Pedro Flores brought to the U.S. in the 1920s. By 1928, Flores had founded the first yo-yo company in California. His yo-yos were unique, designed with a looped string around the axle, allowing for the now-famous “sleeping” motion that opened up endless trick possibilities. The word “yo-yo,” derived from the Filipino term meaning “come-come” or “to return,” marked the beginning of a new chapter for the toy. The yo-yo’s origins, much like its nature, are shrouded in mystery and motion.

Welcome to the National Yo-Yo Museum

At our museum, every piece we display carries a fragment of the tale behind the world’s most beloved and enduring toy. These relics, whether they be a humble wooden yo-yo from the early 1900s or a limited-edition design from a modern master, connect us all to a shared joy that transcends time. In a particularly interesting development, FIG-6 features an add-on “weight ring” design, enhancing the yoyo’s rim-weighted structure. This inventive step allowed for better stability and momentum during play, showcasing the evolving understanding of physics in yoyo design.

Yo-Yo History

Thanks to Grahame’s programming prowess, Dave’s dream has finally come full circle. The permanent online Yo-Yo Museum is no longer just an idea but a living, growing reality. If you’re seeking information about a vintage collectible or theyoyomuseum.com wondering where to find buyers, we’re here to help.

October of 1998 brought yet another milestone with the launch of the Cold Fusion yo-yo, incorporating Playmaxx’s innovative Brake Pad technology. This premium aluminum yo-yo, priced at $150, far exceeded sales expectations, becoming one of the most coveted yo-yos of its time. Collectors and players alike marveled at its precision, beauty, and performance. Starbursts, those familiar nodules that provided extra grip and responsiveness, had been floating around for roughly 15 years by this time.

National Yo-Yo Museum

Actually, with the assistance of a large crane and a skilled operator, Big-Yo can successfully make its way up and down the string. Worst case you can use the waybackmachine site for viewing point in time snapshots of the site. I was going to send you the money but you told me to wait until you made it. I’ve attempted to buy other models from you in the past but my timing was poor. The museum is still added to regularly, @rickbr is the main guy keeping the exhibits coming.

This website exists with a heartfelt mission—to capture, preserve, and honor the rich history of the yo-yo. While we embrace other skill toys along the way, the yo-yo takes center stage as the world’s most beloved and timeless toy. It wasn’t until about 1950 that a breakthrough emerged within the Duncan team—someone conceived the idea of raised radially oriented ribs, known as the “starburst” design. This revolutionary feature redefined how yo-yos functioned, finally enabling plastic yo-yos to return reliably when thrown. Around the same time, another significant figure from France’s turbulent history, King Louis XVII, appears in a painting that offers a rare glimpse into this peculiar pastime.

• While the name changed, the design remained largely the same until 1996.
• The patented axle design, which allowed for POGs (printed outer graphics) to be displayed on one side, was a masterstroke.
• To save space, I have paraphrased Jack’s heartfelt words, but their essence remains.
• These questions, tantalizing as they are, elude definitive answers.

It is widely regarded as the “father” of modern yo-yos, setting a precedent with its innovative features and design. The ProYo became the most copied high-tech yo-yo on the market, and for good reason. The ProYo® story is one filled with innovation, transformation, and a passion for the art of yo-yoing. It all began in 1974 when the original ProYo was developed and patented. Just two years later, in 1976, Donald F. Duncan Jr., the son of the iconic yo-yo pioneer, launched his company. Originally named “Duncraft,” it carried the family legacy but only for about six months.