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These Photos Of People Freaking Out Over Hula Hoops Bring Us Back To A Simpler Time

The Hula Hoop was patented 56 years ago this Tuesday.
By 

Senior Photo Editor, HuffPost

Benedictine sisters at the Christ King Convent in Oklahoma City try their hand at the hula hoop craze, Oct. 18, 1958.
Benedictine sisters at the Christ King Convent in Oklahoma City try their hand at the hula hoop craze, Oct. 18, 1958.
Underwood Archives via Getty Images

In 1958, Wham-O founders Arthur “Spud” Melin and Richard Knerr came up with the crazy idea for a circular hoop made of plastic. As it turned out, the idea was a pretty good one: Wham-O went on to sell 25 million such hoops in the first four months of production. But the company didn’t receive a patent on the invention, now formally known as the Hula Hoop, until March 5, 1963.

Photos from 1958 onward show a much simpler time when a circle of plastic could bring pure joy.

See the photos of people enjoying toy hoops and Hula Hoops below.

Above: Benedictine sisters at the Christ King Convent in Oklahoma City try their hand at the hula hoop craze, Oct. 18, 1958.

Kids hold up toy hoops in San Francisco circa 1958.
Kids hold up toy hoops in San Francisco circa 1958.
Bettmann/Getty Images
11-year-old Ann Evans of Aberdare, Wales, the world toy hoop marathon champion, keeps seven hoops twirling simultaneously, Nov. 17, 1958.
11-year-old Ann Evans of Aberdare, Wales, the world toy hoop marathon champion, keeps seven hoops twirling simultaneously, Nov. 17, 1958.
FPG via Getty Images
Duke Ellington hoops it up in 1958.
Duke Ellington hoops it up in 1958.
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A group of six children play with hoops in a circa-1960s hoop class.
A group of six children play with hoops in a circa-1960s hoop class.
Getty Images
A European woman tries out a toy hoop, circa 1958.
A European woman tries out a toy hoop, circa 1958.
Kirn Vintage Stock via Getty Images
George Washington University cheerleader Anne Sneeringer unsuccessfully attempts to coach Ed Rurbach in the art of spinning a toy hoop, circa 1958.
George Washington University cheerleader Anne Sneeringer unsuccessfully attempts to coach Ed Rurbach in the art of spinning a toy hoop, circa 1958.
Bettmann via Getty Images
Bonnie Manchester demonstrates a hoop in Newport Beach, California, in 1958.
Bonnie Manchester demonstrates a hoop in Newport Beach, California, in 1958.
Bill Bridges via Getty Images
Hooping in Manchester circa 1959.
Hooping in Manchester circa 1959.
Mirrorpix via Getty Images
A girl twirls a toy hoop in Chicago sometime in the mid- to late 1960s.
A girl twirls a toy hoop in Chicago sometime in the mid- to late 1960s.
Robert Abbott Sengstacke via Getty Images
Mimi Jordan, 10, drinks milk and holds a sandwich while hooping.
Mimi Jordan, 10, drinks milk and holds a sandwich while hooping.
Bettmann via Getty Images
National hula hoop champion Sandra Gaylord spins her hoops in 1972, as world professional trampoline champion Judy Johnson does her thing using a hoop as well.
National hula hoop champion Sandra Gaylord spins her hoops in 1972, as world professional trampoline champion Judy Johnson does her thing using a hoop as well.
Bettmann via Getty Images
A man with a toy hoop he bought at Selfridges in London, 1958.
A man with a toy hoop he bought at Selfridges in London, 1958.
Mirrorpix via Getty Images

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