I saw number one and two coming, of course:
5. Dale Oliver
4. Hans Van Dan Elzen (aka Johan)
3. Alan Nagao
2. Donald F. Duncan, Sr.
1.5 Tommy Smothers
1 Pedro Flores
Some interesting info in the video I didn’t know, such as that Duncan was a prolific inventor who also invented parking meters.
I had to look up that Walk the Dog Like an Egyptian video they referenced … you’re welcome!
Wow. 
Great interview with Hans, here:
It is weird that Tom Kuhn didn’t make this list though
https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/This-yo-yo-innovator-is-also-a-spin-doctor-3221126.php
You are the sole poster in this topic. So, I have now stepped in. Also, bye, I have stepped out again.
Ha! I opened this topic and had saved a draft that I’d never posted. I haven’t adjusted it (I mean, ok except for this intro):
Man a list like this is always going to be tough. I definitely think Barney Akers deserves a place on it.
Other possible honorable mentions might include:
Bob Rule
Dr Tom Kuhn
Harvey Lowe
Gus Somera
Dale Myrberg
… would be easy to go on. I don’t disagree w any of the players mentioned, but it’s hard to quantify one’s contribution to yoyoing.
Good list! I think the top two always have to be Flores and Duncan. Beyond that it’s kinda debatable.
This makes me want like a full on documentary about yoyo and it’s history.
I think you’ve got to put Tom Kuhn #3. All the other names here are important in their own ways and deserve any attention they get. But the technological advances that came about because of Kuhn yoyos are pretty hard to ignore. Take apart yoyos, ball bearings, adjustable gaps, response pads, etc.
To say nothing of the fact that Kuhn presented yoyoing in a unique “soul” way that few have captured before or since.
