500 BC

The oldest surviving yo-yos have been tracked to this date. The yo-yos were terra cotta disks, decorated with paintings of mythological figures. Archeologists theorize that Ancient Greek kids gave these yo-yos as offerings at the appropriate temple, as part of a coming-of-age ceremony. A Greek vase from this period is painted with the image of a boy playing yo-yo.

1780s

Cartoons appear in French publications of General Lafayette and Mirabeau playing with yo-yos.

1789

The Prince of Wales, later George IV of England, is portrayed playing with a quiz.

Painting of French Prince Louis XVII playing yo-yo. "Quizzes" listed for sale at Peckam Fair in England.

1792

Edition of Baron Munchausen's fanciful tales published that contains story of a two-handed quiz playing young maiden.

1824

Novelist Mary Russell Mitford makes reference to the bandalore as a bygone toy.

1833

Moore makes reference to a fashionable toy called bandalore in French and quiz in English.

1852

Preller refers to the toy as a Jou Jou.