Death Watch: Richard Knerr
Richard Knerr, who introduced the world to the Frisbee and the Hula Hoop -- among other synthetically polymerized fads -- died yesterday at the age of 82.
While I did have a bit of childhood experience with the Frisbee, by the time I was young the Hula Hoop, faded and bent, was relegated to a stack in a dark corner of the gym locker room. It seems appropriate that Knerr died during the same week we learned most children fear clowns -- another staple of mid-twentieth century childhood entertainment.
I do predict a comeback for the Hula Hoop. Only now the twirling will be directed by the manipulation of a Wii-like device, and the payoff will come around the hips of on-screen avatar of your choice. You could even chose a clown. They're not so scary trapped in there. Even in HiDef.
While I did have a bit of childhood experience with the Frisbee, by the time I was young the Hula Hoop, faded and bent, was relegated to a stack in a dark corner of the gym locker room. It seems appropriate that Knerr died during the same week we learned most children fear clowns -- another staple of mid-twentieth century childhood entertainment.
I do predict a comeback for the Hula Hoop. Only now the twirling will be directed by the manipulation of a Wii-like device, and the payoff will come around the hips of on-screen avatar of your choice. You could even chose a clown. They're not so scary trapped in there. Even in HiDef.
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