Children have been "rolling," "bowling," and "trundling" their hoops from the time of the ancient Egyptians through the hula hoop craze of the late 1950's. Artwork on ancient Greek vases illustrates hoops used in play as well as exercise. The early North American colonists brought this pastime with them from Europe, the hoops being made from whatever material was at hand. By Victorian times both wood and metal hoops were favorite playthings. The hoop can be trundled along, raced, used for skipping or twirling around the waist.