History of the Frisbee
In 1871, in the wake of the Civil War, William Russell Frisbie moved from Bransford, Connecticut, where his father, Russell, had operated a successful grist mill, to Bridgeport, Connecticut. Hired to manage a new bakery, a branch of the Olds Baking Company of New Haven, he soon bought it outright and named it the Frisbie Pie Company (363 Kossuth Street). W.R. died in 1903 and his son, Joseph P., manned the ovens until his death in 1940. Under his direction the small company grew from six to two hundred and fifty routes, and shops were opened in Hartford, Connecticut; Poughkeepsie, New York; and Providence, Rhode Island. His widow, Marian Rose Frisbie, and long-time plant manager, Joseph J. Vaughn, baked on until August 1958 and reached a zenith production of 80,000 pies per day in 1956.
History of WFDF and Flying Discs
The early years of flying disc play were dominated by the influence of the International Frisbee Association, which was a promotional arm of Wham-O Manufacturing Company, the makers of the patented Frisbee brand flying disc. Through the efforts of that organization, many of the game designs and procedures were developed. Although most of the IFA activity was focused in the United States, many international affiliates where begun as a result of Wham-O distributorships in various countries.
Timeline of early history of Flying Disc Play (1871-1995)
This page was first built by Johan Lindgren of Sweden, long-time Secretary of WFDF. We have made a few additions and corrections, but there are obviously very many significant events in disc history that have not yet been included. If you have authortative information about events that you feel should be added or corrections to suggest, please contact us.
Read more: Timeline of early history of Flying Disc Play (1871-1995)
