A Whole Lot of HOOp-la!

In 1958, Wham-o owners Richard P. Knerr and Arthur K. Melin manufactured a plastic hOOp in a variety of bright colors. At first, they gave away the hOOps to get kids to learn and play. But four months later, with 25,OOO,OOO sold (count those hOOps... I mean zerOs!), the Hula-Hoop® became one of the greatest toy fads ever! And 5O years later, it's still a simple toy that fascinates a lot of people, including grownups who now use it to exercise!

But kids and adults have been hOOping for much longer than 5O years! More than 3,OOO years ago (!!!) kids in Egypt were doing just about the same thing with hOOps made of dried grapevines! And a lot of dislocated backs (OOuch!) were reported in 14th century England because of a hOOping craze! And of course, the Hawaiians were doing the same hip action with or without the hOOps with their hula dancing! Just goes to show that a simple toy can last a really lOOOOOOng time!

So get those hips gyrating for some summer fun! It's a whole lot of hOOpla!