Ridiculous History Don’t Be a Schmo Yo, Try a Yoyo!
Mar 26, 2026
They trace the yo-yo from ancient Greek art to Asian and European variants. They unpack patent fights, marketing stunts, and how a trademark went generic. They follow Flores and Duncan’s business schemes that turned a toy into a cultural craze. They cover modern technical advances, competitive yo-yoing, hardcore materials, and the contemporary comeback.
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French Aristocrats Played Fancy Yo-Yos
- In 18th-century France yo-yos were made of glass or ivory and called Joujou de Normandie, enjoyed by nobility.
- The hosts cite King Louis XVII and French Revolution depictions to show aristocratic pastime status.
1866 Patent Turned Yo-Yo Into A Flywheel Toy
- The first U.S. yo-yo patent (1866) introduced clutch and rim-weighting ideas, treating the toy like a small flywheel.
- That patent marks early use of IP to protect mechanical improvements in toy manufacture.
Philippine Weapon Myth Was Marketing Spin
- The Philippine origin story of the hunting yo-yo is largely marketing myth but has some basis in weaponized concealment.
- Lucky Meisenheimer and Dr. Jose Rizal references show a concealed-cord/garrote use rather than a boomerang-hunting tool.