Wham-O is responsible for many of America’s largest toy trends.  In 1957, Wham-O seemingly changed the world by selling over 100 million Hula Hoops.  The company also introduced the world to the Super Ball, the Slip ‘N Slide, Water Wiggle and Silly String. Despite all of their other successes, one of the most well known Wham-O products was the Frisbee.

On this day, January 23, in 1957, Wham-O purchased the rights to the “Pluto Platter,” which would be renamed the Frisbee.  The Pluto Platter was originally developed by Walter Frederick Morrison, but Wham-O co-founder, Richard Kneer, reportedly chose Frisbee as a result of East Coast college students using the name as slang.  After renaming the flying disk, the Frisbee joined the Hula Hoop as a bona fide American fad.

More than 50 years after its release, the Frisbee is still popular.  Frisbees have spawned a variety of sports, including disc golf, ultimate frisbee and fricket.