CNBC AI News, July 28th—Joan Anderson, the woman credited with popularizing the hula hoop, passed away on July 14th at the age of 101 at a care facility in Carlsbad, Northern San Diego, California, according to recent reports.
The story begins in 1956 when Anderson, during a trip back to her native Australia, observed a unique fitness trend: people twirling wooden hoops around their waists and hips.
Inspired, Anderson brought the toy back to Los Angeles, where a friend remarked that her motions resembled the Hawaiian “Hula” dance, thereby giving the toy its now-iconic name: the Hula Hoop.
Sensing a massive commercial opportunity, Anderson’s husband decided to pitch the idea to Wham-O, the toy company.
The documentary “Hula Girl” recounts the pivotal moment:
The Andersons reportedly pulled the hoop from their car trunk and showcased it to Wham-O’s CEO, securing a handshake deal with no witnesses present. This low-key agreement would inadvertently launch one of the biggest toy crazes in history.
The Hula Hoop swiftly swept across the nation, generating a staggering $30 million in sales within just two months. This meteoric rise underscores the simplicity and universal appeal of the product, tapping into the post-war consumer boom and a renewed focus on fitness.
However, Wham-O exclusively reaped the financial rewards. The Andersons, initiating legal action, ultimately settled for a mere few thousand dollars. While the settlement’s details remain private, this outcome highlights the complexities and potential pitfalls for inventors navigating the often-unforgiving world of toy industry contracts and intellectual property rights.
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