I didn’t realize this until doing looking it up but apparently Hasbro’s Pogo Bal was not the original version of this toy. It was invented in 1985 and it has gone by the generic names of lolobal, lolo ball and spring ball. Sometimes you may see the Hasbro version referred to as “Pogo Ball” (which is how I thought it would have been spelled) but as you can see from the commercial Hasbro felt two l’s was unnecessary despite what the dictionary says.
Pogo Bals were fun (well, for about 2 minutes, then you got bored) and they look like Saturn! I’ve seen the generic versions but the only ones I remember using were the Hasbro kind. They’re definitely a lot easier to handle than their older cousins the pogo sticks. I never had one of my own but my sister did. This meant a feeling of shame and embarrassment came over me whenever I used her Pogo Bal: it was pink & purple. A far cry from the more manly silver & blue Pogo Bal my friends down the street had.
As with any toy that is popular, tons of gimmicks were introduced. Licensed Pogo Bals featuring your favorite cartoon and comic book characters, glow-in-the-dark Pogo Bals (Is it really wise to encourage 8 year old to bounce around in the dark?) and the like.
If you want to know how Pogo Bals worked, just check out the instructions that Hasbro was kind enough to post on their page. I don’t think Hasbro makes them anymore but you can still find generic versions around.
http://www.hasbro.com/common/instruct/PogoBall.pdf
Tags: 1980s, Commercials, Hasbro, Pogo Bal, Toys
I remember these fellas coming out in 85. I could never, ever, stand up on one and bounce. I was humiliated in front of all my friends trying!!!! Humiliated, I say!!
My parents got me one of these when they first cam out. I remember playing with it in my front yard and being teased by the neighborhood kids. The funny thing is that about a month later those same kids were bouncing on their Pogo Bal at recess after it was already passe for me. Oh, I totally was my neighborhood Pogo Bal champion. Undisputed, even.
I had one of these too. I couldn’t do it. I don’t know. I just couldn’t.