Walter Frederick Morrison (1920-2010) was an American toy designer, inventor, and entrepreneur best known for inventing the modern flying disc, which became a global phenomenon under the trademarked name Frisbee. Born in Richfield, Utah, Morrison's fascination with flying objects began in his childhood when he discovered the aerodynamic properties of a popcorn can lid. During World War II, while a prisoner in a POW camp, he envisioned a flying disc that could soar with greater accuracy and distance than existing flying toys. After the war, he experimented with various materials and designs, eventually creating a plastic flying disc that he called the Pluto Platter. Morrison's design showcased his keen understanding of aerodynamics and his ability to transform a simple concept into a highly entertaining and marketable product. In 1957, he sold the rights to his invention to Wham-O, a toy company that rebranded the disc as the Frisbee, which became a cultural icon and a beloved outdoor pastime for generations. Morrison's legacy extends beyond the Frisbee itself; his innovative spirit and entrepreneurial drive have inspired countless toy designers and inventors to pursue their creative visions and bring joy to people's lives through play.
Walter Frederick Morrison, flying disc, inventor, toy designer, Pluto Platter, Frisbee, entrepreneur
Walter Frederick Morrison (January 23, 1920 – February 9, 2010) was an American inventor and entrepreneur who is best known for inventing the Frisbee. Born in Richfield, Utah, Morrison grew up in Southern California and became interested in flying at a young age. During World War II, he served in the Army Air Corps as a pilot and flight instructor. After the war, Morrison began experimenting with different designs for flying discs, inspired by a pie tin he and his wife were tossing back and forth on a beach. He eventually settled on a plastic saucer-shaped design that he called the Pluto Platter, which he sold to the Wham-O toy company in 1955. Wham-O renamed the toy the Frisbee, and it became a cultural phenomenon, popularized by college students and beachgoers across the country. Morrison went on to invent other toys and games, including the Superball and the Skyro. Morrison's legacy as an inventor and entrepreneur is significant, as he helped to create a new category of outdoor recreational toys that have brought joy and entertainment to millions of people around the world. His innovations in the field of flying discs have also had a lasting impact on sports such as Ultimate Frisbee and disc golf, which have become popular pastimes for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Walter Frederick Morrison, inventor, Frisbee, Pluto Platter, Wham-O, Superball, Skyro, outdoor recreation, Ultimate Frisbee, disc golf
Walter Frederick Morrison (1881-1968) was an American artist whose contributions to modern art have been commended as revolutionary. His works largely focused on the human form and its relationship to the human condition, often featuring a melancholic or introspective focus. His most acclaimed works include The Wanderer (1917), Inner Vision (1922) and The Responsive Eye (1927). Through his paintings and drawings, Morrison sought to explore the interior life of the everyday person and express the psychological ripple effect of outward events. As a modernist, he was a pioneer in the artistic expression of human emotion, and his works have been instrumental in defining how the mood of a generation can be communicated through art.
Morrison, American artist, sculptor, modernism, painting, drawing, emotional expression.
— Mei Wang
CITATION : "Mei Wang. 'Walter Frederick Morrison.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=210939 (Accessed on June 06, 2025)"
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