Yo-Yo product image

Image: Wikimedia Commons

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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'.

Era
20s
Released
1928
Category
toys
Availability checked
7/7/2026

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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”

Tags

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.