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Like Russia’s launch of Sputnik, Wham-O’s introduction of the Pluto Platter in 1957 sent shock waves around the world…the toy world that is! By 1958 a number of manufacturers here and abroad had produced their own versions of similar flying saucers. Premier Products in Brooklyn, NY brought out their Mars Platter—a near clone of the Pluto Platter—and Empire Plastic Corp. in Pelham Manor, NY released the Zo-Lar. At 9.25 inches in diameter it is almost identical in size and shape to Wham-O’s disc, but rather plain-looking, with very limited structural designs on top.

Empire’s marketing slogan, “The New Campus Craze,” picked up on the growing fad at Northeast colleges of tossing plastic flying discs such as the Space Saucer by Bill Robes and Wham-O’s Pluto Platter. They also recognized the popular name of the activity by inscribing “Frisbee” in bold letters on the discs’ inserts and listing Frisbee Game instructions on the back.

In a move to spur sales new polybags with “Play Frisbee” printed on them were created and a white swirl pattern adorned the top of the discs…the first know use of hot stamping on a disc.

The Zo-Lar seems to have had lukewarm success because few of these short-lived discs have survived. Premier punted, retooled the mold, and reintroduced their new model in 1959 as the “Super Frisbee Flying Saucer,” this time adorned with 1.125-inch-high, stencil-like letters shouting “FRISBEE” twice on the top.

But, we don’t know this disc by that name. Why? Because they also included line art of two collegians tossing their frisbee on the top of the disc; and one of the young men sports a shirt with a prominent “Y” on its front. Does that stand for “Yale”…the mythical home of pie tin tossing? That’s a mystery…and why this disc is commonly referred to as the “Junior Mystery Y.” In anticipation of greater success, an even larger 11.125-inch “Giant Mystery Y” was produced.

1959 was also the year during which Wham-O obtained a trademark for the name Frisbee. Once they had that they were free to pursue legal action against any and all competitors who used the name. And they did! Both Premier and Empire were targeted with lawsuits which they subsequently lost in court. As a result, both were ordered to cease production and turn over their molds and all remaining inventory to Wham-O. End of competition!

Wham-O got rid of some of the leftovers by selling them in their own branded packaging, and then finally retooled the Junior model around 1966 to become the very rare Junior Mystery Y Regular.

The final act in our story played out in 1979 when Wham-O dusted off the Giant Mystery Y mold and produced a limited run (only in yellow) adding three small bars on the cupola to distinguish them from the original Empire runs. Handle these with care as they are known to be prone to cracking!

Phil Kennedy,
Gallery Manager