Museum of Yo-Yo History General Yo-Yo YoYoExpert

He produced both the classic #33 model and the innovative Lumar whistling yo-yo, which captured the attention of many. Eventually, Marx brought these yo-yos to the United States, continuing to sell them under the same name, solidifying his mark on the world of toys. And so, whether we trace its roots to ancient Greece, the royal courts of China, or the Philippines, the yo-yo remains a timeless object, bridging past and present with every twist and turn. I keep trying to convince him to add more exhibits but life has taken him down a different path right now. You have found the most comprehensive archive of yo-yo images, historical memorabilia, and information in the world. Whether you’re a long-time yo-yo collector, or just looking for that long lost treasure from your childhood, this is the place.

History of the Yo-Yo – Valerie Oliver

It’s unclear whether the yo-yo traveled from one culture to another or simply appeared in different places as a kind of natural invention, an idea that transcends borders. In fact, during the French Revolution, it is said that even soldiers and generals, including Lafayette, took comfort in their yo-yos while awaiting battle. By this time, the toy had picked up various names, including “bandalore” and “quiz,” a reflection of its popularity among all social classes. Interestingly, yo-yo-like shapes have also been found in ancient Egyptian temples, etched into the walls as part of sacred drawings, hinting at a far-reaching fascination with the toy’s form.

The results were fascinating, as the yo-yo couldn’t “sleep” due to the lack of gravity’s downward force. Then, in 1992, the yo-yo made a second journey into space aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis, this time featured in an educational video. As of today, the museum has 4,021 exhibits (some still waiting approval).

Welcome to the Museum of Yo-Yo History

Fast forward to 1765 India, and a hand-painted box featuring a girl in a red dress with her yo-yo marks the next known historical reference. From there, the toy traveled across continents and into the hands of the European aristocracy, gaining favor among the wealthy in Scotland, France, and England. In France, it even acquired political significance during the tumultuous times of the French Revolution. The future King Louis XVII was depicted in a painting, clutching his “l’emigrette”—a name derived from the French term for fleeing the country, symbolic of the aristocracy’s flight during the Reign of Terror. Yo-yos, often made of luxurious materials like ivory or glass, became tokens of an era, soothing the nerves of those who faced the guillotine. The motto, “Copied by many, duplicated by none,” speaks to the enduring influence of Museum of Yo-Yo the ProYo.

But that year also marked another significant breakthrough in the world of yoyos. Alphonso Flores Mirafuentes, a little-known yet ingenious inventor, recognized the practicality of being able to take a yoyo apart. A simple bolt and nut system — a concept so effective that it remains the core of how most yoyo manufacturers, even today, construct their toys. This seemingly minor change allowed for easy maintenance and repair, revolutionizing the toy’s design. The Playmaxx company later built on this idea, adding a “Lock Nut” to ensure the yoyo stayed securely together during the most aggressive tricks. In the world of innovation, even the simplest of tools can undergo significant transformation.

They lived either in California or Florida, but I mostly saw them when they visited Tulsa. Because of this, I didn’t get to know Eddie well, but the memories I do have of him are still strong. Enter 1930, when a creative mind by the name of Leonard Powell from Kalamazoo, Michigan, stepped up with a solution. Interestingly, some ancient Greek urns from the same period depict scenes of people performing yo-yo tricks, including what appears to be the classic “walk the dog” move. For years, Dave dreamed of revamping his museum, but the demands of life and technical hurdles stood in the way. It’s a poetic twist of fate that the very project that ignited his journey had been left behind—until now.

Lots of great material in there right now from a wide variety of folks. Grahame (Chimera), the developer behind the site, has been kind enough to host the museum all these years and he’s the guy managing the backend and repository of images. Basically, all of us stay quiet, behind the scenes and let the exhibits do the talking. Featuring the worlds largest public display of yo-yos and yo-yo memorabilia, the National Yo-Yo Museum is free and open to the public seven days a week. Normal hours for the National Yo-Yo Museum are Monday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm, and 12pm to 5pm on Sundays. With an extensive yo-yo collection in hand and a dedicated curator program, our goal is to document every yo-yo, collectible, and piece of history we can find.

While many believe it likely first appeared in ancient China, the earliest recorded reference comes from Greece around 500 B.C. There, these early yo-yos were not just playthings; they held cultural significance. Made from wood, metal, or the delicate, painted clay known as terra cotta, these “disks” (as they were called) were often offered to the gods when a child reached adulthood. Due to their fragility, it’s assumed that the terra cotta versions were ceremonial, rather than toys for active play. A striking vase from this era depicts a young Greek boy playing with a yo-yo—a testament to how long the simple joy of this toy has persisted.

At our museum, every piece we display carries a fragment of the tale behind the world’s most beloved and enduring toy. These relics, whether they be a humble wooden yo-yo from the early 1900s or a limited-edition design from a modern master, connect us all to a shared joy that transcends time. In a particularly interesting development, FIG-6 features an add-on “weight ring” design, enhancing the yoyo’s rim-weighted structure. This inventive step allowed for better stability and momentum during play, showcasing the evolving understanding of physics in yoyo design.

However, the first formal patent mention came in 1966, credited to Joe Radovan. Interestingly, there remains a bit of mystery around the true origins of starbursts. If anyone has concrete historical details on their invention, I’d love to hear from you. Around the same time, Louis Marx, a renowned manufacturer of tin toys, ventured into the yo-yo market in the United Kingdom under the “Lumar” brand.

This new look not only appealed to the eye but became an instant classic, cementing the yoyo’s place as a symbol of both playfulness and skill. The National Yo-Yo Museum features the worlds largest public display of yo-yo, yo-yo memorabilia, and contest awards. Featuring the worlds largest public display of yo-yos and yo-yo memorabilia, the National Yo-Yo Museum is open to the public and located in the back of Bird In Hand. In 1985, NASA took a yo-yo aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery, experimenting with how it behaved in zero gravity.