Filipino Twirler

Wing Luke Museum Collection 2008.050.045 

Wing Luke Museum Collection 2008.050.045

Rock the cradle. Walk the dog. Around the world. Yo-yo tricks that kids of all ages try to master. Here in the U.S., we have Filipino American Pedro Flores to thank for the yo-yo. Flores immigrated to the U.S. in the 1920s from the Philippines and soon after started Flores Yo-Yos in San Francisco. An innovator, Flores patented yo-yos that used a loop around the axle, which let the toy spin at the end of the string. This wooden yo-yo was made by the Goody Manufacturing Company in the 1940s-50s. Since Duncan Toys had trademarked the term “yo-yo,” Goody called their toys “Filipino Twirlers” in homage to their origins. 

Max Chan