1920s · toys
Yo-Yo
A simple toy on a string that became a national craze after Pedro Flores started manufacturing it in the US. Every kid learned 'walk the dog' and 'around the world'.
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Image: Evan-Amos · Public domain
◆ Did you have this?
👍 I had this💔 I wanted this- Era
- 20s
- Released
- 1928
- Category
- toys
Before you buy
- For an original edition, compare the model name, packaging, and release details with the seller’s photos.
- Check the condition, included accessories, delivery cost, and return terms on the listing before ordering.
From the archive
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Why people remember it
- The 'walk the dog' trick was the first thing every kid tried to master.
- Duncan bought out Flores in 1929 and turned the yo-yo into a household name.
- String tricks were a playground status symbol.
Did you know?
- The yo-yo is one of the oldest toys, with origins tracing back to ancient Greece around 500 BC.
- Pedro Flores began US manufacturing in 1928 after seeing the toy in the Philippines.
- Duncan trademarked 'yo-yo' before it became a generic word.
How people search for it
“toy on a string that goes up and down”, “sleeping spinning toy”, “yo yo with finger loop”
Questions people ask
- Is a yo-yo from the 1920s?
- The modern craze kicked off in 1928 when Pedro Flores began US production. Duncan bought the company in 1929.
- Can you still buy a classic yo-yo?
- Yes. Duncan and other brands still make wooden and plastic yo-yos.



