By AMY H. ROBERTS

WHAM-O Manufacturing Company, an innovator of toys, created and manufactured many of the world’s best-loved toys right in San Gabriel.

Initially founded in a family garage in South Pasadena, WHAM-O grew too large for such small digs. In the 1950s, the company moved its manufacturing plant to San Gabriel. Soon, this unique southern California community would be home to some of the most-loved toys ever created.

In 1957, WHAM-O first embraced the idea of Australian bamboo “exercise hoops,” and the hula hoop was born. Company reps showed off this new toy at playgrounds throughout Southern California, including right in its home community. Within four months, San Gabriel’s WHAM-O sold 25 million hula hoops, launching one of the greatest toys fads ever. The San Gabriel factory ultimately made and shipped millions of this toy.

WHAM-O followed this success with the Frisbee. Although WHAM-O executives first encountered the flying disc in 1955, they weren’t able to buy the “Pluto Platter” from its originator until 1957. The company redesigned the concept, creating the Frisbee, which literally took off in 1959. Again the company showcased its newest product at local playgrounds, sparking sales and allowing kids throughout the San Gabriel Valley to once again be toys pioneers.

The WHAM-O factory in San Gabriel rolled out other well-known toys throughout the years, including Silly String, Slip ‘N Slides, Hacky Sack and more.

Although the San Gabriel plant stopped manufacturing toys in the 1980s and the facility eventually closed in the 1990s, WHAM-O enjoyed its best years in San Gabriel. In its heyday, WHAM-O employed more than 1,000 local residents at a complex that included eight buildings and more a 171,000 square feet. Thanks to WHAM- O’s long tenure in the city, San Gabriel was home to some of the most innovative toys ever introduced.

At right: WHAM-O, which made hula hoops and Frisbees, produced the toys in San Gabriel after its manufacturing plant moved there.