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Janet's object is one of the world's simplest toys - the hula hoop. The hula hoop craze of the late Fifties was the first time a toy had taken off in this way - with practically everyone either owning one or knowing what it looked like. Competitions and demonstrations took off for young and old alike, and mass production meant the hula hoop was widely and swiftly available. The manufacturers, Wham-O, sold 25,000,000 in the first two months alone. The craze crossed the Atlantic and there can't be many British homes that don't have one somewhere (usually in the shed). Records for the most, fastest and longest spinning of the hoop are still being set, but for most people the hula hoop remains a bit of fun, a toy that links the generations and stands the test of time.