Hobble Wobble
This is an undated cardboard advertisement for a toy called the Hobble Wobble, something that looks suspiciously like a snake board without the trucks and wheels. These were allegedly manufactured in the late 50’s or early 60’s in St. Louis, Mo. I say allegedly because there doesn’t appear to be any real information on these out there other than a couple of posters for sale. Again, there are some snake boards manufactured out of almost the same accordion I-beam and platform design. The posters seem awfully crisp too, but I’m not sure what the value would be in such an elaborate hoax. Regardless, the Hobble Wobble reminds me of a time when I went to summer camp and my best friend used large sticks we found in the woods to practice our kick turns with.
UPDATE: Magazine article and patent found. Time period authenticity confirmed.
The main purpose of the Hobble Wobble seems to be a balance board for mimicking a penguin walk. The mention of hula hoops but no skateboards suggests a date after 1958 and before 1964.
The twins on the bottom right are the best.
Hipster dad sighting on the left.
That expert is showing some major ‘tude for a eunich.
Look up the patent number. That’s a legally binding number available to the public. Dad pic seems fake
That would work if there was a patent number on the poster.
Oh well…at least any competent wood shop could dupe the entire 1979 dog town product line…
Found the patent through another vintage magazine article. Check the link added in the main post.
Dad pic may actually be the inventor, Harold Katz.