About Richard Knerr
Lived 1925 – 2008 (aged 82). Richard Knerr was an American inventor.
Richard Knerr (30 June 1925 – 14 January 2008) was an American inventor best known for marketing the Frisbee and Hula hoop.
Career Wham-O In 1948, he co-founded the company Wham-O with Arthur Melin (nicknamed "Spud"). In 1957, an Australian visiting California told them offhand that in his home country, children twirled bamboo hoops around their waists in gym class. Knerr and Melin saw how popular such a toy would be, and soon they were winning rave reviews from school children for the hollow plastic prototype they had created.
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Important facts
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Richard Knerr?
American inventor (1925–2008)
When was Richard Knerr born?
Richard Knerr was born on 30 June 1925.
When did Richard Knerr die?
Richard Knerr died on 14 January 2008.
What was Richard Knerr's occupation?
Richard Knerr was an inventor.
What nationality was Richard Knerr?
Richard Knerr was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Richard Knerr. https://biography.guide/richard-knerr/
MLA: "Richard Knerr." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/richard-knerr/.
Chicago: "Richard Knerr." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/richard-knerr/.
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