Australian woman who introduced the hula hoop to the world – but missed out on the profits – dies aged 101

Joan Anderson, the Australian woman who played a pivotal but uncredited role in popularizing the hula hoop in the 1950s, has passed away at 101. Though she never profited from the global craze she helped spark, Anderson expressed happiness at bringing joy to millions. The trend began when she received a bamboo hoop from Australia, which she then introduced to American audiences.