An Oregon innovation turned national obsession.
Before Hacky Sack became a cultural phenomenon, it was simply a game two friends in Oregon City, Oregon, enjoyed playing.
In 1972, John Stalberger and Mike Marshall developed what would become the modern footbag as both a fun pastime and a way to rehabilitate Stalberger's injured knee. They shared an obsession for finding just the right materials and even created the sport's first rulebook. After Marshall's sudden death at age 28, Stalberger was determined to honor his legacy. He launched a grassroots campaign to transform their homemade game into both a successful business and a legitimate competitive sport.
Through countless demonstrations, tournaments, and partnerships, the game spread rapidly across the United States before becoming an international sensation. By the 1990s, the name "Hacky Sack" was recognized around the world and the sport of footbag had developed a thriving community of dedicated athletes, world champions, record holders, and creative innovators across generations.
Author Joshua Zurbrick, host of the podcast Obscure History, recounts how a simple game between friends evolved into one of the most recognizable recreational activities of the late twentieth century.