The yo-yo is one of the oldest and most popular toys in the world. The origin of the yo-yo is uncertain. Some stories trace it to such places as China, Greece, Egypt, France, and the Philippines. One thing is certain: In 1928, Filipino Pedro Flores brought the first yo-yo to the United States. At a yo-yo demonstration that Flores gave in San Francisco, California, in 1929, Donald F. Duncan (1891–1971) became intrigued by the toy disk on a string. Duncan quickly bought Flores' idea and started the Duncan Company to sell yo-yos. Duncan used catchy advertising campaigns. He sent yo-yo professionals throughout the United States and western Europe to demonstrate yoyo tricks and develop interest in the product. He set up yo-yo tournaments.

By 1946, the Duncan Company made its headquarters in Luck, Wisconsin, the "Yo-Yo Capital of the World." By 1962, the Duncan Company sold a record forty-five million yo-yos. The yo-yo...