Wham-O intern Li-Hsuan Lu hula hoops in Emeryville, Calif., on Wednesday, June 18, 2008. The hula hoop marks its 50th anniversary this week. It's hard to believe in age of action-packed video games and other whiz-bang gadgets, the Hula Hoop once was the hippest toy around. The hoopla started 50 years ago Thursday, June 19, 2008 when entrepreneurs Richard Knerr and Arthur 'Spud' Melin sought a trademark for a plastic cylinder that had inspired by a similar toy that had enjoyed modest success in Australia's school yards. [Agencies]