The first run of the YoYoFactory American yo-yo, officially released December 4, 2020. Designed by Hans Van Dan Elzen, Gentry Stein, and Ben McPhee.
From yoyofactory.com:
"The YoYoFactory American was created in a time of uncertainty. In early 2020 the world looked like it was going to crumble. International supply chains were in disarray with tariffs threats still lingering and covid shutting down China. We needed to take control of our future. It was during the 2020 Toy Fair that we floated the idea to Gentry to create the missing link yo-yo, between his last USA made yoyo the Super G and his since legendary Shutter. Our primary local machine shop had been busy running other projects but we kept in touch and once we let them know we were interested in firing up production again it all came together. we got the original machines we used 2006 - 2010 set up just to make yo-yos again and promised to keep them running. Our local favorite anodizer had recently relocated but was also willing to get back into the yoyo business. The name was a little controversial. I wave of lack of pride in being American had fallen across the USA in the summer of 2020 as the country came to terms with racial tension, nationalism and political divides. Naming a yo-yo AMERICAN was seen to put us on a ‘side’. Right at this time Ben (one of the dudes at YoYoFactory) was becoming a citizen. To see people doubting their own country at this time was enough reason to A) buy a flag and B) to fly it proudly while naming a yoyo AMERICAN! The Multilingual color further divided the market. It was a celebration of diversity and the makeup of America forcing people objecting to the notion of National pride at this time to deal with the fact America is more than a moment in time.
The yoyo came out great. The initial idea of adding a bump to prolong grinds was quickly removed after a round of prototyping (example shown below). Reviews praised the finish and feel of being true to the original production of USA made Yoyofactory yo-yos. The green $100 bill yoyo started as a bad idea but the art came together after many revisions and became the most popular version. This (as with all versions) was lazered in house at YoYoFactory.
The success of the American launch fueled a desire to create not only more variants but a second American model with the Bi-Metal ‘Yankee’ designed early 2021 and set for release in the spring. Made in Mesa Arizona."
Production FLAG edition: 64 pieces
Purple Acid: 47 pieces
Black Acid: 45 pieces
Throwing Money: 35 pieces (seen in this exhibit)
Multilingual: 46 pieces
Samples: 3 raw, 6 color samples
B-grades: 35 pieces
Recipe Diameter: 56.5mm
Width: 44mm
Weight: 65gm
Gap width: 4.3mm
Bearing: Size C, CenterTrac(R)
Pads: white Large CBC
Axle: M4 x 10mm
Material: 6061 aluminum
Original retail price: $60 US.
Collected November 21, 2020 during a pre-release event.
