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.

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

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.

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

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

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

Preller refers to the toy as a Jou Jou.

First recorded use of word "yo-yo" in a dictionary of Filipino words.

Cartoon of two quiz-playing boys published in Punch.

United States Patent for "improved bandalore" awarded to Haven and Hettrick.

Boy's Modern Playmate, a British magazine, makes reference to bandalores being called quizzes in 1800.

Souvenir iron bandalore sold at St. Louis World's Fair.

Scientific American magazine publishes "Filipino Toys" article that describes and names the yo-yo.

Pedro Flores makes a yo-yo in the U.S. in the tradition of his Filipino forefathers.

Pedro Flores opens his first yo-yo factory in Santa Barbara, California. First yo-yo craze begins, fueled by Flores contest promotions. Donald F. Duncan sees his first yo-yo.

Popular Mechanics magazine publishes "Make a Filipino Yo-Yo" article in July 29 issue.

Donald F. Duncan buys out Flores, who goes to work for Duncan running promotions. The wooden yo-yo manufacturing shifts to Baurle Brothers in Chicago.

Duncan teams up with Hearst newspapers to promote yo-yo contests. The newspaper advertises the contest, while players must sell three newspaper subscriptions to compete. A single promotion in Philadelphia sells 3 million yo-yos in 30 days.

First ever World Yo-Yo Competition held in London, England. Harvey Lowe, age 13, is the winner.

Duncan builds new yo-yo factory in Luck, Wisconsin, an area rich in hard maple.

Duncan contracts with Flambeau Products Corporation to make plastic yo-yos.

Donald F. Duncan retires and hands control of the company to his sons Jack and Don, Jr.

Duncan tries TV advertising in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Sales increase from $20,000 to $100,000 in the Philadelphia area due to the campaign.

Blockbuster yo-yo year. TV advertising drives sales from $2 million to $7 million a year. Continued demand exceeds production, creating additional costs as Duncan struggles to fill record-breaking orders.

Yo-yo market drops after huge fad. Duncan loses landmark court battle with Royal Tops Company over Duncan's trademark on the word "Yo-Yo." Name is ruled a generic term. Legal costs force both companies into bankruptcy.

Fred Strombeck buys Duncan's yo-yo turning lathes and starts marketing the "Medalist" yo-yo. Production ends with Strombeck's death in 1972. These are the last Duncan-shaped wooden yo-yos for 24 years.

Flambeau Products Corporation, who had been making plastic yo-yos for Duncan and has the molds and equipment to continue production, buys the "Duncan" name and goodwill.

Duncan began cable TV advertising. This continued through 1992.

Tom Smothers' "Yo-Yo Man" routine first appears on the Smothers Brothers' weekly TV show.

First international yo-yo convention held in conjunction with annual International Juggler's Association convention in Los Angeles. The contest held at this convention will develop into the modern World's Championships. "Return of the Yo-Yo" exhibition begins touring shopping malls around the country. The exhibit includes the Duncan Family Collection and several "opening day" demonstrations are held at the various malls, giving a new generation a taste of top-level yo-yo performance. The exhibit collection later forms the core of the National Yo-Yo Museum in Chico, California.

First modern National Yo-Yo Contest held in Chico, California. American Yo-Yo Association founded.

Duncan returns to TV advertising with the "Video Boy" commercial which airs nationwide. Commercial positions yo-yos as the more exciting alternative to video games. Duncan commissions Dr. James Watson of Ball State University, to develop the "Teaching Science with the Yo-YoÆ" lesson program. The five-day science planner gives educators an interactive, hands-on way to teach science theories to their students through classroom based yo-yo lessons.

"Yo-yo madness" sweeps the globe. Australia, Britain, and Japan become yo-yo hotspots. Duncan reintroduces the wooden Duncan Super Tournament yo-yo. A faithful reproduction of the 1955 model Super Tournament, the re-issue comes in five classic colors packaged with the original "1955 Yo-Yo Trick BookÆ."

Duncan enters into a licensing agreement with Coca-ColaÆ, producing 18 different designs.

A big year for Duncan. The Duncan Hardcore Yo-Yo Line is released, as is the Storm Series of spin tops. Also released is the infamous "Finger Commercial" depicting a number of people holding out their yo-yo fingers towards the camera. Outrage from a number of family groups pours in, yet sales increase.Duncan Yo-Yos are featured on Bravo, MTV, Cartoon Network, and are named the # 1 Toy of All Time by A & E. Duncan Demonstrators, Steve Brown and Chris Neff tour the US for three and a half months in RVs to promote the Duncan Hardcore line. They both run out of propane in Chicago and nearly froze.

Duncan is the major sponsor for both the 2000 World and 2000 National Yo-Yo Championships.

Duncan introduces the Freehandô yo-yo. The first yo-yo ever manufactured that is designed to be used without being tied to your hand, the Freehand quickly becomes the Number One yo-yo of choice for high-level players and competitors worldwide. Steve Brown, inventor of freehand-style play, wins the Bay Area Classic by doing his entire 3-minute freehand routine blindfolded. Steve is the first person known to have accomplished this feat. In October, Steve is awarded the title of U.S. National Yo-Yo Master. Only eight people have ever been given this title. Steve is the second youngest of the eight.

Duncan Toys purchases the assets of Playmaxx Inc, officially securing Duncan's position as the #1 Yo-Yo Manufacturer in the world. Among the models added to the Duncan line are the ProYo, Bumble Bee, and Cold Fusion yo-yos. With the purchase, Duncan also acquires a number of patents, including four patents covering "Brake Pad Technology", a form of response system for yo-yos. Players everywhere rejoice.

Duncan Toys releases the Speed Beetle, Flying Panda, and Throwmonkey yo-yos. The international player community declares them to be the finest competition yo-yos released by Duncan to date.

Duncan Toys celebrates its 75th Anniversary with a 25' yo-yo shaped balloon, a full line of Juggling products, special edition Vintage yo-yos, a new line of gyroscopes, a series of instructional CD-ROMS, and the release of the FH Zero. The FH Zero becomes the new standard for competition yo-yos. Also released is the Freehand MG, the most expensive mass-produced yo-yo ever sold. Retail price is $400.

Duncan Toys releases the wooden Satellite yo-yo, a reproduction of one of its most recognizable models from the 1960s. Also released are the Philippine National Yo-Yo Contest DVD, and the Yo-Yo Viking Tour DVD. The Viking Tour DVD is the first ever tour DVD from a yo-yo company, and is immediately recognized as the most entertaining yo-yo video ever released for sale.

Duncan Toys introduces a new line of footbags; Daredevil, Spider, and Roadrunner. TV commercials featuring footbags, juggling, and yo-yos are aired in conjunction with ESPN sponsored World Juggling Federation's National Juggling Competition.