The world goes 'round: Hula Hoop turns 50

[Mr. McD]

The hollow plastic circle that launched a dizzying pop-culture craze marks 50 years today, the day its inventors sought the Hula Hoop trademark.

Richard Knerr and Arthur "Spud" Melin based their creation on a similar toy that Australian school children seemed to enjoy. Within a year, their Wham-O company had sold more than 100 million Hula Hoops ($1.98 each) — more than one hoop for every two Americans.


http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2008/06/the-world-goes.html