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Frisbee

arts Maturity 7-9 Next article →

A flying disc is a fun tool for play and sport.

Person throwing flying disc
Person throwing flying disc

Most discs are made of plastic using a process called injection molding. They have a special shape called an airfoil. This shape helps the disc glide by creating lift. Spinning the disc also helps it stay steady in the air. This spin is called a gyroscopic force. It helps players aim with accuracy and throw for long distances.

Frisbee Catch- Fcb981
Frisbee Catch- Fcb981

There are many different kinds of discs for different games. Ultimate discs are durable and made for distance. Disc golf discs are denser and have sharper rims to cut through wind. These are thrown at targets called pole holes.

Disc golf discs from Disc Golf Course on Toronto Island 2
Disc golf discs from Disc Golf Course on Toronto Island 2

Freestyle discs are smaller and lighter for creative tricks. Some discs are even made for dogs to catch safely. These are softer so they do not hurt the dog's mouth. You can even find glowing discs for playing after dark.

KanJam
KanJam

The story of the flying disc began in the late 1930s. An inventor named Walter Frederick Morrison and his wife Lucile loved tossing a popcorn lid. Later, they tossed a cake pan on a beach near Los Angeles. In 1948, Morrison and Warren Franscioni made the first plastic discs. They called them "Flyin-Saucers" because of UFO sightings. In 1955, Morrison designed the Pluto Platter. This design is like the ancestor of all modern discs.

Frisbee 090719
Frisbee 090719

In 1957, the Wham-O company bought the rights to the Pluto Platter. They named it "Frisbee" after the Frisbie Pie Company. This company made pies for Yale University students. The students used to toss empty pie tins for fun. Later, Ed Headrick joined Wham-O as a manager. He made the disc better by making the rim thicker. He is known as the father of Frisbee sports. He even started the International Frisbee Association.

Professional Model Frisbee Canadian Open 1972
Professional Model Frisbee Canadian Open 1972

Flying discs have led to many organized games around the world. Ultimate is a very popular game played by many people. Disc golf is another sport where players aim for targets. There are also games like Guts and Double Disc Court. In 1974, freestyle competition was introduced by Ken Westerfield and Jim Kenner. People even play with dogs in disc dog sports. In 1998, the Frisbee was put into the National Toy Hall of Fame.

Frisbee freestyle claudio cigna 2009
Frisbee freestyle claudio cigna 2009
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🖼️ Images & Media (9)
File:Frisbee 090719.jpg
Frisbee 090719.jpg
File:Person throwing flying disc.jpg
Person throwing flying disc.jpg
File:Frisbee Catch- Fcb981.jpg
Frisbee Catch- Fcb981.jpg
File:Professional Model Frisbee Canadian Open 1972.jpg
Professional Model Frisbee Canadian Open 1972.jpg
File:Headrick Frisbee Ashes 001.jpg
Headrick Frisbee Ashes 001.jpg
File:Frisbee-forehand-top-2.jpg
Frisbee-forehand-top-2.jpg
File:Disc_golf_discs_from_Disc_Golf_Course_on_Toronto_Island_2.jpg
Disc_golf_discs_from_Disc_Golf_Course_on_T...
File:Frisbee_freestyle_claudio_cigna_2009.jpg
Frisbee_freestyle_claudio_cigna_2009.jpg
File:KanJam.jpg
KanJam.jpg
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