I think there are 3 great frisbee inventors. Obviously first, chronologically, is Fred Morrison: inventor of the plastic frisbee and the start of everything good in life. Second is Ed Headrick who gave the world the disc golf basket (and the name disc golf itself). But perhaps the greatest of the trio is Alan Adler, a man you may not have heard of and yet without whom my life would not be as fulfilling as it has become.

So why has he become our greatest inventor?

Two reasons: frisbee and coffee. Look at his and his companies frisbee-related inventions. The Aerobie flying ring was patented in 1984. Although not used in any main stream frisbee games it is still a well-loved and wonderful invention. It flies for miles with unerring accuracy. His company, Aerobie, has also invented many other flying products – boomerang (which I am struggling to control) and the American football – as well as the more traditional Aerobie superdisc. The superdisc is a great starter disc with a cushioned rim for better grip and softer catches. It is also the go-to disc for Ten-bee – a game we invented that mixes elements of tennis with a frisbee.

My well-used Aerobie superdisc complete with crease where a friend stood on it!

That invention on its own may be sufficient to earn his place in the worlds gratitude. However he was just not content wìth that. In 2005 his company also invented the Aeropress coffee maker. It uses a unique plunger system to produce consistently good filtered coffee. Before covid reduced my days in the office, it was my go-to device for a coffee fix. His invention is so good and cultist that it has spawned different ways of using it (the inverted method) as well as its own World Championship which had over 3,000 competitors.

Coffee heaven!

Coffee and frisbee – is there anything better? Thank you Alan Adler