Obit: Fred Morrison, Frisbee inventor
By Staff -- Gifts and Dec, 2/12/2010 1:21:00 PM
MONROE, Utah—Frisbee inventor Walter Fredrick (Fred) Morrison passed away on Feb. 9, toymaker Wham-O said this week. The 90-year-old reportedly had lung cancer.
In a written statement, Wham-O said: “On behalf of Wham-O, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to the Morrison Family. Fred’s timeless contribution to the sport and toy industries has brought smiles to well over 200 million faces and continues to do so every day. We are forever thankful for his invention of the Frisbee Disc and his ongoing partnership with Wham-O for over fifty years.”
Wham-O launched the first Frisbee in 1957 after Morrison came to the company with the concept under the name “Pluto Platter.” It was an idea he’d been refining since 1937 and had been actively marketing in increasingly sophisticated formulations of plastic since the late ’40s through his own company. In 2007, Wham-O reissued Morrison’s final self-sold design as the Legendary Pluto Platter Frisbee flying disc, marketed in its original packaging.
In a story marking Frisbee’s 50 years on the market, Morrison in 2007 told Playthings: "It is remarkable to see such a simple product continue to evoke the passions of kids and adults alike. Knowing that the same Frisbee disc will satisfy your basic flying-disc needs year after year without upgrades or tune-ups is one of the reasons it is has become part of the fabric of America over the past 50 years. It's just plain fun!"
According to historian Phil Kennedy, author of Flat Flip Flies Straight! True Origins of the Frisbee, Morrison’s subsequent toys ideas included Wham-O’s Crazy Eight Bowling Balls and The Popsicle Machine. Despite receiving royalties on Frisbee sales, he held a variety of careers post-Frisbee, including carpenter, Los Angeles building inspector, hardware store owner, operator of a local airport, and racehorse breeder and rancher.
We would love your feedback!
-
Wham-O's Wisdom
Jan 1, 2009 -
ToyQuest marks Frisbee inventor's passing
Feb 24, 2010 -
Designers' Star Turn
Jan 1, 2010 -
Honoring Creativity
Jan 1, 2009
VIEW ALL GALLERIES
