THE WIBBLER

Diagram of a toy for balancing and walking, patented by Harold Katz in 1960, showing multiple views including top, side, and cross-section.

FUN FOR ALL AGES

A person dressed in a striped skeleton costume and wearing a skull mask, leaping in the air with pumpkin and tombstone props, against an orange background. The image features the LIFE magazine logo, with the headline 'A Halloween salute to specters and spooks' and the date October 31, 1960.

The Wibbler was introduced in March 1960 by inventor and advertising executive Harold Katz. Harold got his inspiration from the famous hula-hoop and wanted to create a toy that combined elements of the pogo stick, bongo board, and stilt. The Wibbler was created and first sold in St. Louis, Missouri, for $1.98, where it quickly became a commercial success, selling 55,000 units in less than two months.

WOBBLING ON THE WIBBLER:
YOUNGSTERS TAKE A SHINE TO A TEETERING TOY

The toy gained national attention after being featured in a Life magazine article in October 1960, which significantly increased sales. Originally manufactured and distributed on a local scale, early packaging displayed the name “The Wibbler Co.” with headquarters in St. Louis. As the toy's popularity grew, the product expanded beyond regional markets and was reintroduced as the “Hobble Wobble” to appeal more to children. Today, The Wibbler is remembered as an innovative mid-century toy with a combination of design and engineering that required energy, creativity, and skill.

Black and white photo of three young children playing outdoors, with a boy riding a skateboard and two others walking nearby, in a park with trees and lampposts in the background.