The document summarizes the history of the hula hoop. It discusses how hula hoops have been made from various materials for centuries and provided entertainment. It describes how the toy was popularized in the 1950s by the Wham-O company, who sold over 20 million plastic hoops in the first six months. It also mentions that hula hooping is currently experiencing a resurgence as a fitness activity.

1. The History of the Hula
Hoop
HAYLEY NINNIS

2. The History of the Hula Hoop
 Hayley Ninnis, a psychology student at Pennsylvania State University, is a
serious collector and seller of vintage clothing, a hobby she acquired
while accompanying her mother to numerous area auctions; she also
collects semi-precious gems, Disney movies, and vinyl records from the
1960s and 1970s. Hayley Ninnis remains fit by practicing yoga,
paddleboarding, and hula hooping.

3. The History of the Hula Hoop
 Made of a variety of materials, such as metal, wood, rattan, grass, and
bamboo, hoops have provided entertainment and recreation to children
and adults alike for millennia. The name “hula hoop” was likely coined by
British sailors, who noted that the movements of hula dancers on the
Hawaiian Island closely resembled those made when hooping.

4. The History of the Hula Hoop
 When the American company Wham-O trademarked and patented the
device in 1958, they began manufacturing them in two sizes: 28 inches in
diameter for children and 40 inches for adults. The company sold about
20 million plastic Hula Hoops for $1.98 each during the product’s first six
months on the market. The most popular movement consists of spinning
the hoop around one’s waist, keeping the hoop spinning by gyrating the
mid-torso. A world hula hooping record was set in 2007 by a Chinese
woman who spun 105 hula hoops around her waist for three full
revolutions.

5. The History of the Hula Hoop
 Currently enjoying a renaissance as a fitness tool, the Hula Hoop serves as
the centerpiece for scores of competitions and activities sponsored by
fitness clubs and social organizations alike. There are several organizations
that promote hoops, and one offers a comprehensive listing of these
events on its website at www.hooping.org.