Joan Anderson: The Unsung Pioneer of the Hula Hoop

Joan Anderson, an Australian-born former model, played a pivotal role in the hula hoop's rise to fame but received little recognition during her lifetime. Despite her groundbreaking contributions, she remained largely uncredited for her efforts.

Joan Anderson, known for coining the term "hula hoop," passed away at the impressive age of 101. Originally from Australia, she was fascinated by the hula hoop phenomenon and sought to introduce it to the American toy market. After witnessing the craze firsthand, Anderson brought the wooden hoop to the US and pitched it to a toy executive at Wham-O, coining the popular name inspired by the Hawaiian dance.

In a revealing 2018 documentary, "Hula Girl," she reminisced about how her husband and she directly approached the company's boss, who seemed interested but later failed to acknowledge their significant input. This resulted in a lawsuit that granted them a meager settlement but no official credit, leaving her feeling overlooked, especially when the narrative evolved to downplay her contributions to that of an unnamed "Australian friend."

Born Joan Constance Manning in Sydney on December 28, 1923, Anderson had a vibrant history that included a stint as a swimsuit model. She met and married Wayne Anderson, a US Army pilot, shortly after their encounter at Bondi Beach. Recently, the documentary filmmakers described the rewarding journey of piecing together Anderson's much-deserved recognition.

Joan Anderson passed away on July 14 at a nursing home in Carlsbad, California. She leaves behind a legacy of innovation and resilience, remembered fondly by her family, including two sons, a daughter, and six grandchildren. Her life story serves as a reminder of the many unnamed pioneers who shape our culture and trends.