Now You See It, Now You Don't!

TellZall's object for August is the Pogo Stick.

Pogo sticks are toys that were popular at various points in the twentieth century. The pogo stick is a long tube made of metal, with a spring inside of it to help it bounce. The stick has a place for the feet near the bottom and handles to hold onto at the top. By jumping on the pogo stick, you can make it bounce into the air and travel a short distance. The goal is to try to jump as long as possible without having to put your feet back on the ground. This feat requires excellent balance.

The first pogo sticks in the United States came from Germany. The Gimble Brothers Department Store ordered some wooden pogo sticks from Germany in 1919. Unfortunately, these pogo sticks were sent to the United States by ship. On the journey, the sticks were damaged by the humidity from the ocean and were no longer usable by the time that they arrived. The store did not give up, contracting with toy manufacturer George Hansburg to develop a better design for the pogo stick. Hansburg chose to make his pogo stick out of metal instead of wood and patented his design in 1919. These early pogo sticks were produced at a factory in Elmhurst, New York.

Just because the new pogo sticks were of much better quality than the wooden ones, it did not mean that people would buy them. Imagine going into a store and seeing a new product that you did not understand-you might be reluctant to buy it! Hansburg had to find a way to get the word out about his new toy. In New York City, there was a very popular theatrical show called the Ziegfield Follies. Hansburg convinced the women who performed in the Ziegfield Follies, known as Ziegfield Girls, to learn to use the pogo sticks. Soon, the Follies used pogo sticks in the show, even going so far as to have a wedding on pogo sticks! Pogo sticks became very popular in the 1920s, and many people tried to find new and creative ways to use them. In 1947, Hansburg improved even further on his design, creating the Master Pogo.

Eventually, other companies tried to copy Hansburg's pogo stick. Gordon Spitzmesser of Elwood, Indiana, even invented a gas-powered pogo stick in the 1960s. Spitzmesser called his invention the "Pop Along," and it was eventually marketed as the "Hop Rod." The gas-powered pogo stick did not last very long, as it was difficult to use. Some people viewed it as unpredictable and dangerous. Certainly, the "Hop Rod" was able to bounce further than traditional pogo sticks.

Pogo sticks are still available today. Like many older toys, people are becoming interested in pogo sticks once again. They do not enjoy the same level of popularity that they had in the 1920s though.

Did you know that Ashrita Furman of Jamaica, New York, holds the world record for jumping the greatest distance on a pogo stick? Furman jumped for 23.11 miles on June 22, 1997. It took twelve hours and twenty-seven minutes to complete this feat.

Additional Information (will load in new windows):
Modern pogo sticks
Sketch of Hasburg's pogo stick design for patent
Guinness Book of World Records