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Pogo stick

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A pogo stick is a device used for jumping off the ground while standing.

Pogo Stick
Pogo Stick

People use this tool for many different reasons. It can be a simple toy for play. It can also serve as equipment for exercise. Some people use it as an instrument for extreme sports. This specific activity is known as extreme pogo, or "Xpogo." The device allows a person to move vertically through a rhythmic bouncing motion.

The mechanism of a pogo stick relies on the physics of a spring. The device consists of a pole with a handle at the top. It also features footrests, known as footpads, near the bottom. A spring is located somewhere along the length of the pole. This spring joins two sections of the pole together. The lower section extends below the footpads to touch the ground.

Pogoanim
Pogoanim

To use the device, a jumper places their feet on the footpads. They must balance carefully on the pole while standing. The jumper uses a bending action of the knees to create movement. This motion adds or subtracts energy from the spring. When the spring reaches full compression or full extension, a recoil occurs. This recoil launches the jumper several inches or even feet into the air. By repeating this process, the jumper maintains a periodic bounce.

Pogoanim
Pogoanim

Users can also move horizontally across the ground. This is called horizontal locomotion. To steer, a person shifts their weight away from the centerline of the spring. By moving their weight in a desired direction, they can guide the stick. This allows the jumper to travel across a room or a field. The ability to steer makes the pogo stick more than just a vertical jumping tool.

The history of jumping devices includes several important inventors. In 1881, George H. Herrington patented spring stilts in Wichita, Kansas. These stilts used compression springs on each foot. They were intended for leaping great distances and heights. Later, Max Pohlig and Ernst Gottschall from Germany invented the modern pogo stick. They registered a German patent in Hanover in March 1920. Their device was called a "spring end hopping stilt." Some believe the name "pogo" comes from the first two letters of their last names.

Other designs changed how people interacted with the device. George B. Hansburg patented a two-handle design in 1957. He shared a story about the name "Pogo" coming from a young Burmese girl. Her father had built a crude version of the device for her. This helped her travel to a local temple for prayers. An earlier 1955 design used a single vertical handle. However, that design posed a risk to the user's chin. Modern improvements include models like the Vurtego, Flybar, and the BowGo. These high-performance sticks allow operators to jump much higher than simple coil spring models.

Xpogo Peg Grab
Xpogo Peg Grab

Records show how much skill is required for continuous jumping. James Roumeliotis set a major record for continuous pogoing. He bounced for 20 hours and 13 minutes. During this time, he completed 206,864 bounces. In the world of Xpogo, sticks are built for durability and height.

Xpogo Rio
Xpogo Rio

High-performance Xpogo sticks can reach heights of over 10 feet. This is approximately 3 meters from the ground to the bottom of the tip. These heights allow athletes to perform advanced tricks like backflips.

Extreme pogo is a rapidly emerging action sport. It is becoming a part of popular culture around the globe. Xpogo athletes perform exhibition teams for crowds to watch. Many people watch Xpogo content on websites like YouTube. There is also a large annual event called Pogopalooza. This event serves as the World Championships of Xpogo.

Xpogo Rio
Xpogo Rio

While technology changes, the basic idea remains the same. The core concept is still a person riding on a spring.

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🖼️ Images & Media (4)
File:Pogo Stick.jpg
Pogo Stick.jpg
File:Xpogo Peg Grab.png
Xpogo Peg Grab.png
File:Xpogo Rio.png
Xpogo Rio.png
File:Pogoanim.gif
Pogoanim.gif
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