Pie pan to frisbee
The first frisbee was a pie pan.
Walter Frederick Morrison, a student at Yale University, was throwing tin pie pans around the campus for fun (you had to make your own fun in the '40s). He liked how they glided through the air and thought to experiment with other shapes and materials that would fly better.
He tried wood, metal and plastic variations. He carved and cut discs, rings and cones. Eventually, he landed on a plastic dish. It was a good balance of being lightweight, durable and aerodynamically stable.
Some notable details about the design:
• The convex top and concave bottom allows it to lift and stay airborne for long distances.
• The smooth surface reduces air resistance allowing it to glide through the air with minimal drag.
• Weight is evenly distributed with more weight on the rim. This allows it to balance in the air and to be thrown with accuracy. As a general rule, less than 20% of a frisbee's total weight should be added to the rim to prevent wobbling.
• The concentric grooves on the top create turbulence which keeps air flowing over the disc, generates lift and adds stability. The ridges also reduce drag, allowing it to go farther.
He called it the Pluto Platter, but his friends thought it was genetic. Since his design originated from a pie pan supplied by the Frisbie Pie company, he coined the name Frisbee.
Embracing the power of play evolved into commercial success. Enjoyed by millions around the world for generations.
