Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at Young V&A
Play Gallery, Sound it Out, case 17

This object consists of 4 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Yomega

Yo-Yo
1993-1998 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

High-performance yo-yo. A double disc of thick clear plastic joined with a metal rod through the centre. Around the rod is twisted white string. Inside one of the discs are two springs attached to two plastic bars with a ball bearing on each; one bar is blue the other pink - these are termed a 'patented centrifugal clutch' which programs automatic returns and super long spin times.

With the yo-yo is a clear plastic box with a printed white paper label in one corner. Inside is a box base, card, top covered with red flock, shaped with an arc and bar into which fits the yo-yo. There is also a card insert, cut and folded to support the yo-yo in its box, the front is printed in colours to show a light burst and the titles. The reverse side is printed with the maker's details and trademarks together with instructions.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 4 parts.

  • Yo-Yo
  • Packaging
  • Packaging
  • Packaging
Titles
  • Yomega (manufacturer's title)
  • The Yo-yo with a Brain (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Plastic, steel, string, printed card and paper
Brief description
"Yomega" Yo-Yo made in the USA by Yomega Corp in 1998
Physical description
High-performance yo-yo. A double disc of thick clear plastic joined with a metal rod through the centre. Around the rod is twisted white string. Inside one of the discs are two springs attached to two plastic bars with a ball bearing on each; one bar is blue the other pink - these are termed a 'patented centrifugal clutch' which programs automatic returns and super long spin times.

With the yo-yo is a clear plastic box with a printed white paper label in one corner. Inside is a box base, card, top covered with red flock, shaped with an arc and bar into which fits the yo-yo. There is also a card insert, cut and folded to support the yo-yo in its box, the front is printed in colours to show a light burst and the titles. The reverse side is printed with the maker's details and trademarks together with instructions.
Dimensions
  • Yo yo diameter: 57mm
  • Yo yo depth: 32mm
  • Packaging height: 83mm
  • Packaging width: 70mm
  • Packaging depth: 44mm
Production typemass produced
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'YOMEGA® HIGH PERFORMANCE / Pat No. 4332102'
  • '828699 S / YO-YO WIT / $12.00' (White label with black letters, includes bar code; printed)
  • 'AGES 8 - ADULT / MADE IN U.S.A.' (outside of insert, together with the title; printed)
  • 'U.S. Pat #4,332,102' (on reverse side of insert, together with an offer fore new strings and instructions for playing with the toy; printed)
  • 'YOMEGA - The YO-YO With a Brain® is a registered trademark of Yomega Corp. Package ©1993; Fall River, MA 02723-0402'
Credit line
Given by Caroline Goodfellow
Object history
This yo-yo was bought in a leading toy shop in Boston, Massachusetts, in October 1998. At the time it was the leading seller of yo-yos.
Historical context
The Yo-Yo has a long history, the first ones to be depicted were on Greek vases. An extension of tops, they were toys and there is no suggestion that they were once weapons. During the late-1990s, yo-yos enjoyed a period of revival.
Other number
US Pat. #4,332,102 - patent number
Collection
Accession number
B.324:1 to 4-1998

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Record createdMarch 23, 1999
Record URL
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