Yo-yo

Yo-yo is a popular toy that consists of an axle connected to two disks, and a string looped around the axle. It has some similarities to a slender spool. A yo-yo is played by holding the free end of the string known as the handle (by inserting one finger—usually the middle or index finger—into a slip knot), allowing gravity or the force of a throw to spin the yo-yo and unwind the string (similar to how a pullstring works), then allowing the yo-yo to wind itself back to one's hand, exploiting its spin (and the associated rotational energy). This is often called "yo-yoing". First made popular in the 1920s, yo-yoing remains a popular pastime of many generations and cultures. It was first invented in ancient Greece.

History

The yo-yo in its simplest form is an incredibly old toy, with examples of terracotta disks found in Greece dating back to 500 BC. The modern yo-yo came into prominence in the 1920s in America when a man named Pedro Flores, who was of Philippine descent, started the Yo-yo Manufacturing Company in Santa Barbara, California. The business started with a dozen handmade toys; by November 1929, Flores was operating two additional factories in Los Angeles and Hollywood, which altogether employed 600 workers and produced 300,000 units daily.

Design and operation

The design of the yo-yo has changed significantly over time. The traditional design includes an axle with a string looped around it. More modern designs include a bearing in the middle of the yo-yo that the string wraps around, which allows for longer spin times. The shape of the yo-yo affects how it plays. A yo-yo designed for looping tricks will be different from a yo-yo designed for string tricks.

Types of yo-yos

There are several types of yo-yos:

• Fixed axle yo-yos
• Transaxle yo-yos
• Ball bearing yo-yos
• Offstring yo-yos
• Freehand yo-yos

Yo-yo tricks

There are many yo-yo tricks, including the sleeper, walk the dog, rock the baby, and around the world. Some tricks involve juggling two or more yo-yos at once.

Competitions

Yo-yo competitions have been held since the 1930s. The World Yo-Yo Contest is the largest yo-yo competition, attracting competitors from all over the world.

See also

• Diabolo
• Juggling
• Begleri
• Spinning top

Yo-yo Resources
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