WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THE YO-YO?
a YO-YO:
1 : a thick grooved double disk with a string attached to its center axle that is made to fall and rise to the hand by unwinding and rewinding on the string
2 : a condition or situation marked by regular fluctuations from one extreme to another
3 : a stupid or foolish person
Which of these yo-yo’s came first? Surprising or not, definition #1.
The yo-yo we all know, once loved, but have long forgotten about. That makes me sad, and for that, I’d like to pay a homage.
This blessed contraption has been with us for longer than even some mummies. The evolution of the yo-yo dates back twenty-five hundred years and next in line to the doll, it is the oldest toy in history.
500′s BC+ Yo-Yo=Fun in the Ancient Greek Empire Greeks once painted portraits of their gods on the wooden sides of these circular toys. As a right of passage into adulthood, kids would retire their yo-yos. Hanging ‘em up on the good old family altar, as a way of honoring their lineage and culture.
And for once, the origin of a word is NOT Latin–YoYo’s & the Philippines Filipinos used yo-yos as weaponry for over 400 hundred years! Studs, sharp edges and thick ropes were all used to construct a weapon that would be flung at enemies. Leading us to the origin of a name that we all know today, the “YO-YO”. In the Phillipines, yo-yo means…”to come back” thus allowing us a title that would appropriately describe the purpose of this innovation.
The Yo-Yo immigrates to America Donald Duncan popularized the yo-yo, introducing it into mainstream culture here in the late 1920′s. If or when you feel inspired to reminisce about the yo-yo…there’s a day designated just for that! In light of Duncan’s birth date, there’s National Yo-Yo Day on June 6th.
Also, there’s a group called YO-YO NATION, group members do some pretty incredible tricks with Yo-Yo’s, as an art and sport. Breaking records and participating in competitions, this group has video clips all over the web.
Check them out on Facebook: YoYo Nation Fanclub
