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 Sponsors and Curators
The Museum of Yo-Yo History is a labor of love, and we would not be able to stay up-to-date with exhibits without the support of our sponsors and curators. Big thanks go to One Drop Design and Duncan for supplying us with their latest models, YoYoExpert for their help and support, and to Cody Orr, TotalArtist and YoYoBrothers™ for allowing us to use their collections!
If you're a manufacturer, or just a big collector and you want to help support the Museum drop me at line at chimera@yoyomuseum.com
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| Tom Kuhn SB-2 - Polished - San Francisco era |
| Exhibit #3981 |
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| Type | Production |
| Shape | Modified |
| Axle | Bearing |
| Finish | Polished |
| Color | Polished aluminum |
| Packaging | Display Boxed |
| Construction | Multi-piece aluminum |
| Response | None |
| Diameter | 56 mm |
| Width | 26 mm |
| Gap | Fixed |
| Weight | 48 gm |
| Condition | 9 |
| Date | 1990 |
| Owner | Rick Brough |
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In 1987, Tom Kuhn and Don Watson began research and development on a playable, high-performance yo-yo to surpass the original Tom Kuhn Silver Bullet. After three years and the release of 39 pre-production prototypes known as the Turbo-Yo in the summer of 1990, the Silver Bullet 2 or SB-2 made its debut November 1990. Based on the engraved year and serial number, the yo-yo in this exhibit was among the first SB-2s ever released. It's possible that it was made by the same person or people who made the Turbo-Yo just a few months earlier.
The model was released in a polished aircraft aluminum version seen in this exhibit. And, in another first, it was also released in a tortoise shell version of black and bronze anodizing on the rims/inner face and a black anodized body on the outer face (shown). It was the first anodized yo-yo model. Both versions had full engraving, including serial numbering and year of production. The yo-yo came in a Tom Kuhn-branded blue display box, along with a Flight Manual (user guide), two weight rings, two gap adjusting screws, pack of strings, string gap tool, and a spare bearing.
See the Tom Kuhn postcard announcing the SB-2 in November 1990.
The Silver Bullet 2 is still made today, albeit in polished aluminum only and by a different maker. It continues to use a size I ball bearing axle, just like the Turbo-Yo prototype and the original San Francisco-era release. It also has the same adjustable string gap.
Today, players take ball bearing yo-yos for granted. But, back in 1990, it was a special experience to be among the first to try out a yo-yo that was so different and disruptive to the world of yo-yo play.
Original Tom Kuhn Silver Bullet series:
• Silver Bullet (SB-1) - 1984
• Turbo-Yo (SB-2 prototype) - 1990
• Silver Bullet 2 (SB-2) - 1990 in Tortoise shell and in Polished aluminum
• Silver Bullet 3 (SB-3) - 2012
• Silver Bullet Series limited box set 4 (contains SB-1, SB-2, and SB-3)
• Silver Bullet 4 (SB-4) - 2014
Original retail price: $75 US (about $150 in 2021). | |
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