THE ULTIMATE TRIBUTE! Frisbee Inventor's Ashes Turned Into... Frisbees!

The ubiquitous flying disc, a staple of parks and beaches worldwide, owes its modern form to the ingenuity of Walter Frederick Morrison. His journey to inventing the iconic toy began in 1937, when he and his future wife, Lucille, were tossing a popcorn tin lid on Thanksgiving. Realizing its potential, they soon progressed to more durable cake pans, which they sold for a quarter each at Los Angeles beaches. After serving as an Army Air Force fighter pilot in World War II, Morrison refined his design, eventually creating the "Pluto Platter" in 1955, an aerodynamic plastic disc that would later be acquired and rebranded as the "Frisbee" by the Wham-O toy company in 1957.

Morrison, who passed away in 2010 at the age of 90, left behind a truly remarkable final request. In a fitting tribute to his life's work, a portion of his cremated remains was incorporated into a limited edition of Frisbee discs. This unique form of memorialization is scientifically possible because cremated ashes, primarily composed of bone minerals, can be mixed with various materials like plastics or resins and then molded. While not intended for mass production, these special discs were distributed among his family and friends (Review), allowing his legacy to literally take flight.

This poignant gesture highlights a growing trend in memorial practices, where individuals seek personalized and meaningful ways to honor their loved ones beyond traditional urns or burial. Just as Morrison’s inventive spirit soared, his final wish ensures that a part of him continues to embody the joy and flight he brought to millions around the globe.