Is the Frisbee toy based on throwing pie pans?

Question

Accepted Answer

Yes, the Frisbee toy was indeed based on the concept of throwing pie pans. This might seem surprising, but the history of the Frisbee is deeply rooted in the tradition of tossing pie tins for fun, a practice that dates back to the late 19th century. Let's dive a bit deeper into this fascinating story and explore the origins of this beloved backyard and professional sport game.

A Slice of History: The Pie Pan Origins of Frisbee 🥧

The story of the Frisbee starts with the Frisbie Baking Company, a small bakery based in Bridgeport, Connecticut, which was established in 1871. The bakery was well-known for its pies, and the empty pie tins became a source of fun for local college students. They would toss the tins to each other, yelling "Frisbie!" as they did so. This was the beginning of the Frisbee as we know it.

The Evolution: Pie Tin to Ultimate Frisbee Equipment 🔄

Fast forward to the post-World War II era. Walter Frederick Morrison, a building inspector and inventor, saw potential in the concept of a flying disc for a game. He created a plastic version of the pie tin, which he initially called the "Flyin-Saucer" to capitalize on the growing public interest in UFOs. Morrison later redesigned the disc to improve its flight performance and renamed it the "Pluto Platter."

It wasn't until 1957 when the toy company Wham-O bought the rights to the Pluto Platter and renamed it "Frisbee," a misspelled tribute to the Frisbie Baking Company's pie tins.

Comparison between a Frisbie pie tin and Wham-O's Frisbee

Now, let's take a closer look at the differences between the original Frisbie pie tin and the Frisbee as we know it today, which was developed by Wham-O.

Features	Frisbie Pie Tin	Wham-O's Frisbee
Material	Metal	Plastic
Shape	Flat, round	Round with a curved lip
Weight	Light	Heavier, for better control and distance
Purpose	Originally for baking pies, later used for fun	Designed specifically for throwing
Inventor	Frisbie Baking Company	Walter Frederick Morrison
Year of Introduction	1871	1957
Popularity	Popular among college students in the Northeast	Popular worldwide

As you can see, the transformation from a simple pie tin to a modern Frisbee involved several significant changes and improvements.

The Ultimate Game: Birth of Frisbee as a Sport 🏆

The game of Ultimate Frisbee, as we know it today, was developed in the late 1960s by a group of high school students in Maplewood, New Jersey. This sport, which combines elements of football, soccer, and basketball, was initially played with Wham-O's Frisbees, and it has grown into a globally recognized sport.

Let's take a look at the key moments in the history of the Frisbee and Ultimate Frisbee.
Evolution of the Frisbee and Ultimate Frisbeewindow['6499212495d446499212495d48-df2a4fcaef8bc80e57bae6c624af8674'] = [{"title":"The Frisbie Baking Company Era","date":"Late 19th Century","description":"The Frisbie Baking Company in Bridgeport, Connecticut, starts operation. The pies they bake are sold in tin plates that customers often throw for fun, marking the humble beginnings of the Frisbee."},{"title":"Walter Frederick Morrison's Innovation","date":"Post-World War II","description":"Walter Frederick Morrison, a building inspector and inventor, sees potential in the pie tin throwing game and creates a plastic version, the 'Flying Saucer', later renamed to 'Pluto Platter'."},{"title":"Wham-O's Frisbee","date":"1957","description":"Wham-O purchases the rights to the 'Pluto Platter' and renames it to 'Frisbee', a nod to the Frisbie Baking Company."},{"title":"The Birth of Ultimate Frisbee","date":"Late 1960s","description":"A group of high school students in Maplewood, New Jersey, develops the game of Ultimate Frisbee, combining elements of football, soccer, and basketball."},{"title":"Modern Frisbee Design","date":"Present Day","description":"Today's Ultimate Frisbee discs are a far cry from the original pie tins and Pluto Platters, featuring advanced aerodynamic design and materials."}]
The evolution of the Frisbee and Ultimate Frisbee shows how a simple idea can transform into a globally recognized sport.

Frisbee Today: The Modern Design and Its Impact 🎯

Modern frisbees have come a long way from the original pie tins and Pluto Platters. Today's Ultimate Frisbee discs are specifically designed for optimal aerodynamics and ease of catching. They are typically made of smooth plastic and are about 10.75 inches in diameter, weighing around 175 grams.

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There you have it! The Frisbee indeed started as a pie tin from the Frisbie Baking Company and evolved into the plastic discs we know today. If you're looking for a high-quality Ultimate Frisbee disc, consider the Discraft 175 Gram Ultra Star Sport Disc - 2 Pack. This pack includes two discs that are perfect for playing Ultimate Frisbee with friends or in competitive matches.

There you have it! The Frisbee indeed started as a pie tin from the Frisbie Baking Company and evolved into the plastic disc we know and love today. It just goes to show that sometimes, the simplest ideas can lead to the most enjoyable games. For more information on the nuances of Ultimate Frisbee, check out our other articles on the science of Ultimate Frisbee and techniques and strategies to boost your game.

The History of Frisbee QuizTest your knowledge about the history of the Frisbee!window["6499212495d446499212495d48-bc7b44a1f7a7547ba539869b89c8f6dc"] = {"questions":[{"q":"What was the Frisbee toy based on?","options":["Throwing pie pans","Throwing dinner plates","Throwing pizza dough","Throwing cookies"],"correctIndex":0,"correctResponse":"Correct! The Frisbee toy was indeed based on the concept of throwing pie pans.","incorrectResponse":"Sorry, that's incorrect. The Frisbee toy was actually based on the concept of throwing pie pans."},{"q":"Where did the story of the Frisbee start?","options":["Frisbie Baking Company in Bridgeport, Connecticut","Wham-O company in California","Hasbro company in Rhode Island","Mattel company in California"],"correctIndex":0,"correctResponse":"That's right! The story of the Frisbee started with the Frisbie Baking Company in Bridgeport, Connecticut.","incorrectResponse":"Sorry, that's not correct. The story of the Frisbee actually started with the Frisbie Baking Company in Bridgeport, Connecticut."},{"q":"Who saw potential in the concept of throwing pie pans and developed it into a plastic disc?","options":["Walter Frederick Morrison","Richard Knerr","Arthur Spud Melin","None of the above"],"correctIndex":0,"correctResponse":"Correct! Walter Frederick Morrison saw potential in the concept of throwing pie pans and developed it into a plastic disc.","incorrectResponse":"Sorry, that's incorrect. Walter Frederick Morrison was the one who saw potential in the concept of throwing pie pans and developed it into a plastic disc."},{"q":"When was the game of Ultimate Frisbee developed?","options":["Late 1950s","Late 1960s","Early 1970s","Early 1980s"],"correctIndex":1,"correctResponse":"That's right! The game of Ultimate Frisbee was developed in the late 1960s.","incorrectResponse":"Sorry, that's not correct. The game of Ultimate Frisbee was actually developed in the late 1960s."},{"q":"What is the difference between the original Frisbee and today's Ultimate Frisbee discs?","options":["Material","Size","Shape","All of the above"],"correctIndex":3,"correctResponse":"Correct! Today's Ultimate Frisbee discs have come a long way from the original pie tins in terms of material, size, and shape.","incorrectResponse":"Sorry, that's incorrect. Today's Ultimate Frisbee discs have come a long way from the original pie tins in terms of material, size, and shape."}]};
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