Joan Anderson, the visionary who named the beloved hula hoop, has passed away at the age of 101. Born Joan Constance Manning in Sydney on December 28, 1923, she had an illustrious career as a swimsuit model before playing a significant role in the hula hoop's ascent to stardom.
During a visit to Australia, Anderson became captivated by the sight of people using wooden hoops and brought the idea back to the United States. She and her husband were instrumental in introducing the hula hoop to Wham-O, a major toy company, but their contributions were largely overlooked for decades. In a documentary titled "Hula Girl," Anderson shared her experience of presenting the hoop to the company, explaining how she and her husband dubbed it the hula hoop after the Hawaiian dance, but ultimately faced challenges in securing recognition.
Despite initial excitement about their discovery, Anderson later had to engage in a lawsuit against Wham-O, leading to a modest settlement but no formal acknowledgment of their role. Her story highlights the frequent struggles faced by inventors to gain the credit they deserve. Joan Anderson's passion and determination afforded her the chance to reclaim her narrative, culminating in a documentary that honored her pivotal role in the toy’s legacy.
Anderson passed away on July 14 at a nursing facility in Carlsbad, California, surrounded by her family. She is remembered not just as a coiner of the hula hoop’s name but as a woman who lived a remarkable life, leaving behind two sons, a daughter, six grandchildren, and a story that finally received the recognition it deserved later in her life.
