The Guy Who Brought The Frisbee, Hula Hoop and SuperBall Dies

[Wee67]

Richard Knerr, 82, Craze Creator, Dies

By DOUGLAS MARTIN
Published: January 18, 2008
Richard Knerr, who gave the company he and a friend started in a garage the altogether appropriate name Wham-O, then marketed products that for two decades virtually defined frivolity in postwar America, from the Hula Hoop to the Frisbee to the SuperBall, died on Monday at his home in Arcadia, Calif. He was 82.

The cause was complications of a stroke, said Stefan Pollack, a Wham-O spokesman.

Mr. Knerr (pronounced nur) and Arthur Melin had a talent for turning seemingly quirky ideas into national passions. In 1958, their Hula Hoop invigorated members of a rock ’n’ roll generation eager to shake their hips, if only to keep the precarious plastic ring from dropping to their feet.


FULL STORY FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES-
Richard Knerr, 82, Craze Creator, Dies - New York Times

[Mikey]

Always loved the Super-Ball.

Great product .......

The kids always lose it after their first play and have to buy another one --- because it was THAT GOOD

RIP Super Ball guy

[Earth 2 Chris]

While I was never into Hula Hoops much, I spent many hours playing Frisbee. And how I remember learning the true power of the Super-Ball. It will indeed bounce over your house, and get lost across the street in the creek....

Mr. Knerr gave countless children hours upon hours of enjoyment. Not a bad gift to the world at all.

Chris

[johnmiic]

I never looked it up but finding out the same guy made the hula-hoop and the fridbee is a shocker. I always objected to the fact that they had that happen in the film The Hudsucker Proxy but in truth it was the same guy!

[toys2cool]

man I use to love the Hula hoop as a kid,sucks to hear.RIP buddy

[HardyGirl]

I stilll have my Frisbee from when I was a kid. RIP Wham-o guy!