Plastic discs, also famous as Frisbee discs, have an interesting story behind their origin. Also, the origin of this most famous light disc that can fly with gyroscopic force is very amusing. Let us dive deep into this article that covers the story of the ultimate frisbee disc and how it started as a metal lid and got its name. Journey from a metal lid to now a customized plastic toy to a whole sport named Disc Golf.

Introduction to Invention

Back in 1937, Frisbee was discovered by Walter Morrison. On one fine day after the picnic, Walter and his wife started playing with their metal cake pan. They were having fun while tossing the metal cake pan to each other on the beach. They got the idea of making this into a toy and launching a business when they got asked by another couple at the beach to let them play with that metal lid for 25 cents! Watching how their fun ultimate disc game got the attention of others around them and helped them earn 25 cents, the Morrison couple decided to turn it into a business. Morrison was intrigued that if someone is willing to pay 25 cents for a cake pan to play that costs 5 cents only; then there must be a market to tap into.

Turning an Idea into Business

Walter Morrison served in the Army Air Force, flying in World War II, which taught him a lot about aerodynamics.  His friend and business partner Warren Franscioni continued the business during the time Walter was a prisoner of war. After WWII, Morrison continued his business and re-designed the flying cake pans by sketching an aerodynamically improved disc and named it a whirlo-way. Whirlo-way was the name of a famous racehorse at the time. After multiple prototypes and experiments, Walter and Walter produced their first plastic disc, which they named the "Flying Saucer."  

A Fun Story Behind the Name

This flying disc got many names, first whirlo-way, then Flying Saucer, followed by Pluto Platter. But there is an interesting story on how it got named as Frisbee. One day, a few college students were playing with flying discs at Yale. They shouted, "Frisbee!" to warn a passerby who could have gotten hit by it. Since then, they started shouting Frisbee while throwing the discs. That is how the Ultimate Flying Discs got its name, FRISBEE!

Recognition as a Sport

In the 1960s, Frisbee got recognition as a Disc Golf Sport where the players had to throw the disc into the golf basket. Before 1973, the invention of the disc golf target was called the Disc Pole Hole. Nowadays, frisbee golf is the fastest-growing sport by its nature.

Let us wrap up this journey of Frisbee from a metal cake pan to a fully fledged sport. This cake pan has come a long way. The story of Frisbee was unknown but surely an interesting one to cover. These days, people can customize their frisbees and keep them as memory, which has its own uniqueness. Head to the Disc store if you are looking for customized Frisbee and disc golf for yourself. Check out their products; they will surely catch your eye.