Nerf!

# Stuff You Should Know: Nerf Episode Summary

Josh and Chuck dive into the surprising history of Nerf, from its accidental origin as a racing term to its complete transformation from simple foam balls into a massive weapon-based toy empire. They trace how inventor Lonnie Johnson's pressurized water discovery led to the Super Soaker, which ultimately inspired Hasbro to reimagine the entire Nerf brand as foam blasters in the 1990s, complete with a thriving modding community and massive multiplayer games like Humans vs. Zombies that can involve hundreds of people battling across entire weekends. It's a fascinating look at how a low-tech foam toy became a cultural phenomenon that continues to innovate and respond to its devoted fan base today.