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| Duracraft Pro Yo |
| Exhibit #4641 |
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| Type | Production |
| Shape | Modified |
| Axle | Fixed |
| Color | White |
| Packaging | Shrink Wrapped on Card |
| Gap | Fixed |
| Condition | Mint |
| Date | 1974 |
| To | 1979 |
| Owner | Rick Brough |
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Duracraft's (4500 E. Speedway, Tuscon, Arizona 85712) first iteration of the Pro•Yo featuring its distinctive design on side cap A. One notable detail is the thumb groove on the clear side cap lens, which made it easier to remove the lens and swap out the "pog" for another design. The yo-yo also stands out with its design and color-coordinated card and pog, creating a cohesive and visually appealing look.
The body halves of this yo-yo were riveted together, with a brass yo-yo axle in the center. These early ProYos were not designed to unscrew, as the first take-apart feature for ProYos didn’t appear until the late 1980s.
This model was likely produced by Duracraft in the mid to late 1970s, as the absence of a UPC code on the packaging is indicative of that time period. Duracraft was the predecessor of what later became Playmaxx in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Playmaxx was eventually sold to Duncan in the early 2000s.
The Pro•Yo’s iconic design was protected under US Patent 3,805,443, granted to Donald F. Duncan, Jr. of Tucson, Arizona, on April 23, 1974.
The term "Wheeler" in the upper-right corner on the front of this Pro•Yo card likely referred to the Wheeler Distributing Company, which was involved in distributing or marketing this specific yo-yo model. Wheeler Distributing was known for distributing various toys, including yo-yos, during the mid-to-late 20th century. Their name appearing on the packaging suggests they played a role in getting this product to retail stores.
In this context, "Wheeler" served as a branding or distribution reference, indicating that this particular Pro•Yo was part of their catalog or supply chain. It’s a subtle nod to the distributor rather than a manufacturer or design element of the yo-yo itself.
Original retail price: $1.29 USD. | |
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