The Best Idea Yet: Episode 39 – 🥏Frisbee: A Pie in the Sky Idea (Literally)

Release Date: July 8, 2025
Hosts: Nick Martell and Jack Crevici Kramer
Produced by: Wondery

Introduction to Phonoesthetics and the Frisbee

The episode begins with Nick Martell introducing the concept of phonoesthetics—the study of the pleasantness of word sounds—and seamlessly ties it to the central topic: the Frisbee.

Nick Martell [00:20]: "Phono aesthetics are the art of understanding the pleasantness of the sound of words."

Jack and Nick explore how certain sounds evoke specific imagery, setting the stage for discussing the Frisbee, a word that has undoubtedly become a cultural staple.

Early Origins: Pie Tin Tossing at Middlebury College and Yale

The Frisbee's origin story is shrouded in multiple claims, primarily between Middlebury College and Yale University. The narrative starts in 1939 at Middlebury College, where students began tossing pie tins, a pastime credited to the Delta Upsilon fraternity during a road trip mishap.

Jack Crevici Kramer [05:00]: "Middlebury College says its Delta Upsilon fraternity invented the pie tin frisbeeing during a road trip in 1939."

Contrarily, Yale asserts its own claim, though their documentation lags compared to Middlebury's well-established statute featuring a bronze frisbee-catching dog statue on campus.

Nick Martell [06:31]: "Middlebury's [statute] cements their claim as the true origin of the frisbee."

Regardless of its true birthplace, the pie tin tossing tradition spread across New England, laying the groundwork for the Frisbee's eventual commercialization.

Fred Morrison and Lucille Ney: From Cake Pans to Flying Discs

The narrative shifts to Los Angeles in 1937, where teenage sweethearts Fred Morrison and Lucille Ney inadvertently set the Frisbee in motion. They began tossing cake pans at the beach, leading to a spontaneous business idea when a stranger offered to buy one of their makeshift discs.

Nick Martell [09:02]: "Fred decides to have a little fun. It only costs him a nickel, but the price he names is a quarter."

This simple exchange catalyzed Fred and Lucille's venture into selling "Flying Cake Pans," marking the birth of their flying disc business. Their entrepreneurial spirit shone as they profitably sold the discs at a 400% markup, capitalizing on the immediate, contagious joy the discs brought to their customers.

Jack Crevici Kramer [10:13]: "It's instant, visible, and most importantly, contagious fun."

Challenges and Innovations: The Whirlaway and Pluto Platter

World War II interrupted Fred's burgeoning business as he served as a pilot. Post-war, leveraging his aerodynamics knowledge, Fred redesigned the disc into the Whirlaway but struggled to gain traction despite improvements.

Nick Martell [15:03]: "The in-flight entertainment system is broken, and the person next to you just slipped off their shoes. You're experiencing the miracle of flight."

Efforts to rebrand as the Pluto Platter amid the 1950s UFO craze faltered, leading to stagnant sales. Fred's perseverance, however, introduced a pivotal design tweak—incorporating an airfoil shape—to enhance flight stability, setting the stage for the Frisbee's resurgence.

Nick Martell [15:12]: "This new design gives the Whirlaway more lift."

Wham O's Intervention and the Birth of the Modern Frisbee

Enter Wham O, a Pasadena-based company renowned for viral toys like the Hula Hoop. Recognizing the potential in Fred's Pluto Platter, Wham O acquired the rights, rebranded it as the Frisbee, and launched it in 1958. Despite initial tepid sales overshadowed by the Hula Hoop craze, Wham O's marketing prowess kept the Frisbee afloat.

Jack Crevici Kramer [19:31]: "Wham O refinanced the Pluto Platter into the Frisbee, launching it with their signature viral marketing strategies."

Ed Hedrick and the Evolution into Competitive Sports

A turning point came with Ed Hedrick, a former deep-sea welder with a passion for toy invention. Hired by Wham O as head of R&D, Ed enhanced the Frisbee's design by adding concentric rings and refining its balance, significantly improving flight stability.

Jack Crevici Kramer [25:37]: "Ed adds concentric rings to the top for better stability in flight."

Ed didn't stop at design improvements; he reimagined the Frisbee's market positioning. Transitioning from a children's toy to a precision athletic tool, Ed became known as "Steady Ed" for his flawless throws, thereby attracting a wider, more diverse audience.

Jack Crevici Kramer [27:06]: "His Frisbee throws are so accurate, so wobble-free, that Ed earns the nickname Steady Ed."

This strategic pivot led to the advent of various Frisbee sports, including:

• Ultimate Frisbee: Invented in 1968 by New Jersey high schoolers, transforming the Frisbee from casual play to a team sport with over 5 million players in the US alone by 2012.

  Nick Martell [29:01]: "It's played in over 100 countries. A 2012 report said that the US had over 5 million Ultimate Frisbee players."

• Disc Golf: Initiated by George Sappenfield in 1965, merging Frisbee play with golf's structured format. Despite initial resistance from Wham O, Ed Hedrick championed the sport, leading to over 16,000 disc golf courses worldwide today.

  Jack Crevici Kramer [32:35]: "Disc golf catches on, and by the time Ed passes away in 2002, it's played professionally, internationally, and obsessively by millions."

Legacy and Takeaways

The episode concludes by highlighting the Frisbee's transformation from a simple pie tin to a $1 billion industry. Key takeaways include the importance of:

1. Creative Naming: Opting for unique, evocative names can propel a product into cultural relevance.

   Jack Crevici Kramer [35:45]: "Make it a goal to get your brand name added to the dictionary."

2. Innovative Marketing: Transforming giveaways into interactive challenges can create viral buzz.

   Nick Martell [37:12]: "This strategy turned every giveaway into a story. It turned it into an experience and a little bit of word-of-mouth magic."

3. Adaptation and Persistence: Continuous product improvement and adapting to market trends are crucial for sustained success.

   Nick Martell [16:25]: "Fred's got the flight mechanic spinning, but his marketing mechanics are stalling out."

Notable Quotes

• Nick Martell [10:03]: "Cha ching, cha ching."

• Jack Crevici Kramer [15:41]: "The aerodynamics are upgraded, the name downgraded, but the sales continue to stay flat as a pie tent."

• Nick Martell [27:43]: "You don't need cleats and shoulder pads to play. You need bare feet, an open space, and an open mind."

Behind the Scenes and Additional Insights

Throughout the episode, hosts Nick and Jack provide engaging commentary and humor, making the historical journey of the Frisbee both informative and entertaining. They also incorporate fascinating "Best Facts Yet," such as the US military's experimentation with Frisbees during the Vietnam War and the unintended connections between Frisbee culture and notable personalities like Joel Silver.

Conclusion

The Frisbee's story is a testament to innovation, resilience, and the power of effective marketing. From humble beginnings as a pie tin toss to becoming a beloved sporting instrument worldwide, the Frisbee exemplifies how a simple idea, when nurtured and refined, can become a lasting cultural icon.

Sources Cited:

• "How the Frisbee Took Flight" by Ben Van Hoovelin on Salon.com
• "The Little-Known Story of How a World War II Pilot Invented the Frisbee" by Emily White at Sports and Service