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The Common Room / Re: Help wanted with family Pogo Stick tale
« on: Saturday 01 May 21 23:04 BST (UK) »
First, I would like to thank you for posting your inquiry about the pogo stick. I recently submitted research for a Harvard course. There are many indications that Hansburg may not have been involved in the process to improve and patent the pogo stick back in 1919 or 1920 despite several reference materials in paper and online claiming his involvement. Most probably, this is the case of a story that has been accepted as truth merely because so many continue to perpetuate it without researching the facts. Perhaps, Hansburg and his company may have even encouraged those stories to develop a closer tie between them and the pogo stick in the consumer's minds. It does appear, though, that the pogo stick inventors were Germans who improved the design in Germany in 1919 and patented it in 1920. Other inventors in 1920 and 1921 then enhanced that new German design.
As for the warped pogo sticks, if they existed at all, they would not have warped in the short distance from Germany to England, so any warping would have happened during the longer sea voyage. I have not found conclusive evidence that Gimbels did, in fact, procure a shipment in 1919. Other department stores did, but the earliest shipments to America were in 1920. It is more probable that your Danish gg-grandfather may have found one in Germany if his travels took him there or even aboard a ship with a shipment from Germany to France or England directly since those nations were the first ones to enjoy pogo sticks after Germany's improved models appeared. The warped look may have been due to the inferior quality of wood and the scarcity of materials, such as metals, in Germany during the post-WWI years, which led to German products of lesser quality.
Finally, I lament that you do not have a photo of your grandmother's actual pogo stick. The model in the photograph which you included appears to be fashioned according to modern "authentic replica" produced by a company whose owner was... Hansburg until he sold the company shortly before he passed away. Having reviewed many patents for pogo sticks from the early 20th century, I have not yet found one submitted by Hansburg until the 1950s nor have I found any early pogo sticks with a dual stick frame such as the one in the photo. That design appeared much later by the 1950s. Regardless, it would prove exciting to find any concrete evidence, such as photos or advertisements from the years prior to 1921, showing a dual stick frame. I noticed that your post is from several years ago. If you have obtained any further conclusive proof and would be inclined to share that information with me, I would be grateful for your kindness. Regardless, I appreciate learning your family's history as related to the pogo stick and again thank you.
As for the warped pogo sticks, if they existed at all, they would not have warped in the short distance from Germany to England, so any warping would have happened during the longer sea voyage. I have not found conclusive evidence that Gimbels did, in fact, procure a shipment in 1919. Other department stores did, but the earliest shipments to America were in 1920. It is more probable that your Danish gg-grandfather may have found one in Germany if his travels took him there or even aboard a ship with a shipment from Germany to France or England directly since those nations were the first ones to enjoy pogo sticks after Germany's improved models appeared. The warped look may have been due to the inferior quality of wood and the scarcity of materials, such as metals, in Germany during the post-WWI years, which led to German products of lesser quality.
Finally, I lament that you do not have a photo of your grandmother's actual pogo stick. The model in the photograph which you included appears to be fashioned according to modern "authentic replica" produced by a company whose owner was... Hansburg until he sold the company shortly before he passed away. Having reviewed many patents for pogo sticks from the early 20th century, I have not yet found one submitted by Hansburg until the 1950s nor have I found any early pogo sticks with a dual stick frame such as the one in the photo. That design appeared much later by the 1950s. Regardless, it would prove exciting to find any concrete evidence, such as photos or advertisements from the years prior to 1921, showing a dual stick frame. I noticed that your post is from several years ago. If you have obtained any further conclusive proof and would be inclined to share that information with me, I would be grateful for your kindness. Regardless, I appreciate learning your family's history as related to the pogo stick and again thank you.