The history of Frisbee is a fascinating journey that takes us from the humble pie tin to one of the most popular outdoor toys in the world. While many know Frisbee as a simple plastic disc tossed around in parks and beaches, its origins are much more interesting—and surprisingly tied to the world of baking. But who invented Frisbee as we know it today? To fully appreciate the cultural impact of this flying disc, we have to go back to the 19th century, where a pie company in Connecticut unknowingly set the stage for a future global sensation.
The Origins of Frisbee: How Pie Tins Started It All
The story of the Frisbee begins with the Frisbie Baking Company, founded in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in the late 1800s. The bakery specialized in fruit pies, which were sold in tin plates that customers were encouraged to return. These reusable pie tins became an essential part of the bakery’s operations, as the company charged a 5-cent deposit to ensure customers brought the tins back.
However, returning these tins became less of a priority for some, especially among the playful students at nearby Yale University. Instead of returning the tins for their 5-cent refund, it is widely believed that students began tossing them around campus. The shape of the tin—flat and slightly curved—made it ideal for throwing, gliding through the air with ease. This new form of entertainment caught on quickly, with students shouting “Frisbie!” as they flung the tins around, referencing the name of the pie company printed on each tin.
The pie tins’ aerodynamic design lent themselves well to this impromptu game, and soon the activity spread beyond Yale, gaining popularity among students at other universities. This was the earliest version of what would later become the modern-day Frisbee.
Who Invented Frisbee? How did the Frisbee gets it’s name?
Though students may have been the first to use pie tins as flying discs, who invented Frisbee in its plastic form is a story of ingenuity and entrepreneurship. The credit for the modern Frisbee goes to Walter Fred Morrison, a building inspector and inventor from California. Morrison was already familiar with flying discs, as he and his future wife, Lucile, enjoyed tossing metal lids and popcorn can tops during beach outings in the 1930s.
Inspired by this activity, Morrison realized that there was potential to create a more durable and marketable flying disc. Metal tins, after all, could become dangerous when thrown too hard, so he began experimenting with plastic—a material that was becoming increasingly popular in post-World War II America. In 1948, Morrison designed and produced the first plastic version of the flying disc, which he called the “Flyin’ Saucer,” playing on the growing fascination with UFOs and space travel at the time.
Morrison’s invention was a hit, but it wasn’t until the late 1950s, when he sold the rights to the Wham-O toy company, that the Frisbee as we know it truly took off. Wham-O rebranded the disc as the “Frisbee” to honor the original pie tins from the Frisbie Baking Company. By 1957, the Frisbee was introduced to the mass market, and its popularity skyrocketed.
The Cultural Rise of Frisbee: From Plaything to Sport
Once the plastic Frisbee hit the shelves, it quickly became a favorite among children and adults alike. The history of Frisbee doesn’t just end with it being a casual toy, though—it evolved into a serious sport. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the Frisbee was adopted by enthusiasts who turned simple tossing games into competitive sports.
One of the most significant developments in the history of Frisbee was the creation of Ultimate Frisbee in 1968. This team-based sport, combining elements of soccer and football, was developed by a group of high school students in Maplewood, New Jersey. Ultimate Frisbee soon became a recognized sport, with leagues and championships forming across the United States and internationally.
Meanwhile, another sport, Disc Golf, emerged in the 1970s. In Disc Golf, players aim to throw a Frisbee into a series of metal baskets, with the goal of completing the course in the fewest number of throws. Like Ultimate Frisbee, Disc Golf grew rapidly in popularity, eventually becoming a mainstream sport with dedicated courses and professional players.
Competing Claims: Who Really Invented Frisbee?
While Morrison is credited with creating the plastic Frisbee, several other individuals have laid claim to being the original inventors of the flying disc. One of the most curious stories involves a Yale student named Joseph P. Frisbie, who is said to have thrown a church collection plate 200 feet across campus in protest of mandatory chapel attendance. Though this story is widely regarded as a myth, it reflects the pie tin’s long-standing association with Yale and the origins of the game.
Other competing claims include a group of Hollywood film editors in the 1940s, who supposedly spent their lunch breaks throwing empty film reels to unwind after hours of editing. Additionally, Elbert Cole, a retired scientist from California, has claimed that he discovered the joy of tossing pie tins in a Nebraska cornfield with a friend, eventually coining the term “Frisbie” during their playful exchanges.
Despite these entertaining origin stories, the overwhelming consensus among historians is that Morrison’s plastic disc design, paired with Wham-O’s marketing, solidified the Frisbee’s place in American culture.
The Modern History of Frisbee: More Than Just a Toy
Today, the Frisbee is far more than just a plastic toy thrown in backyards or on beaches. It represents a piece of Americana, tied to innovation, recreation, and culture. Millions of people worldwide participate in Ultimate Frisbee leagues, and Disc Golf continues to grow in popularity with courses across the globe.
The history of Frisbee is a testament to how a simple, everyday object—a pie tin—can evolve into something far greater. What began as a quirky pastime on a college campus has turned into a global phenomenon, with professional competitions, world championships, and even Frisbee-related hall of fame honors.
Beyond sports, Frisbee remains a symbol of carefree fun. Tossing a Frisbee is often associated with sunny days, picnics, and outdoor activities. It’s an enduring part of American culture, from friendly games at family gatherings to intense Ultimate Frisbee tournaments. And it all started with the Frisbie Baking Company’s pie tins.
Ultimately, the history of Frisbee shows us that some of the best inventions come from the most unexpected places. A simple pie tin, tossed in the air for fun, became the precursor to one of the most popular toys in the world. And who invented Frisbee? While there are many playful claims, it was Walter Fred Morrison‘s vision and Wham-O‘s marketing prowess that transformed this flying disc into a global phenomenon.
So, the next time you throw a Frisbee, remember that you’re participating in a legacy that dates back to pies—and a whole lot of ingenuity.
