A Brief Opening – The Story Of Play-doh
Let’s talk about the history of play-doh or playdough, and how the play-doh story is not much different from the story of many other popular items we are familiar with today. The History of play-doh begins in 1912 with the family-owned soap company Kutol. Founded in Cincinnati, Ohio, and tells a story about family, struggles, hard times, tragedy, and triumph. A struggling family-run company transforms a popular wall cleaning product, known as Kutol Wall Cleaner, and re-invents it, turning it into the iconic toy we all know as play-doh today, or sometimes referred to as playdough with the homemade versions.
When the Great Depression hit and wallpaper sales declined, Kutol Products had to find a new use for their product. They rebranded it as a children’s modeling compound and sold it to schools and toy stores.
It was an instant hit with children and parents, who found the material to be fun and easy to use. The original Play-Doh was sold in one-pound cans and came in just three colors: red, yellow, and blue.
Play-Doh is a modeling compound used by children for arts and crafts and educational projects. It has been around for over 60 years and is a staple of many households with young children. In this report, we will discuss the history of Play-Doh, from its invention to its popularity today. Play-Doh was first developed in 1955 by a Cincinnati-based company called Kutol. They created a pliable, malleable clay-like substance that could be used to make shapes and figures. The initial purpose of this material was to be used as a wallpaper cleaner, but it was soon discovered that it could be used as a children’s toy.
Play-Doh has continued to remain popular to this day, and Hasbro has released a number of new products over the years. They have released a number of different themes, including movie and television tie-ins, as well as a variety of tools and accessories. Play-Doh has been around for over 60 years and is one of the most iconic toys ever among children. It has come a long way since its inception in 1955, and it is still beloved by children and adults alike.
The History of Play-doh Timeline
The timetable below shows a concise and full history of play-doh from 1912 to current:
- 1912 – The Kutol Soap Company was founded in Cincinnati, Ohio
- 1927 – The Kutol Soap Company was facing financial hardship and closure. Cleo and Noah McVicker take over running the Kutol Soap Company
- 1933 – Cleo and Noah McVicker negotiate a wall cleaner contract with Kroger Grocery Stores
- 1949 – Cleo McVicker dies in a plane crash Cleo’s widow, Irma McVicker hires her son, Joseph McVicker, and her son-in-law, Bill Rhodenbaugh, to head The Kutol Soap Company
- 1950 – The Kutol Soap Company once again faces financial difficulties
- 1955 – The modeling clay was classroom-tested in Cincinnati area schools
- 1956 – Joseph McVicker and his uncle, Noah McVicker, create the Rainbow Crafts Company, Inc
- 1956 – The Woodward & Lothrop Department Store in Washington, DC, began to sell the modeling clay for the first time under the name of Play-Doh
- 1957 – McVicker introduced his new line of Play-Doh to Bob Keeshan, otherwise known as Captain Kangaroo (a popular children’s television series). Keeshan loved the product and made arrangements to use Play-Doh at least once a week on his show. Sales skyrocketed, and the Rainbow Crafts Company struggled to keep up with the overwhelming demand for this new toy.
- 1958 – Noah and Joseph McVicker applied for a patent for Play-Doh
- 1960 – Accessories like the fun factory became part of the Play-Doh line when McVicker hired two engineers to develop a product that could be used in multiple ways. with a small amount of effort, the fun factory would press and form Play-Doh into various shapes and designs.
- 1964 – With the new colors and accessories available the Rainbow Crafts Company was now producing and shipping more than 1 million cans of play-doh a year.
- 1965 – United States Patent Office officially patents the clay on January 26
- 1965 – General Mills purchased the Rainbow Crafts Company, Inc., and all rights to Play-Doh
- 1971 – Rainbow Crafts Company, Inc., and Kenner Products, both subsidiaries of General Mills, merge together
- 1987 – Tonka Corporation purchases Rainbow Crafts Company, Inc and Kenner, Inc.
- 1991 – Hasbro, the current producer of Play-Doh acquired all rights to Play-Doh and Rainbow Crafts Company, Inc
- 1998 – Play-Doh was inducted into The Strong’s National Toy Hall Of Fame
- Currently – At the time of writing this, Hasbro is the current owner of Play-doh or sometimes referred to as Playdough
What Is Play-Doh?
Play-Doh is a modeling compound used by young children for arts and crafts projects at home and in school. It is composed of flour, water, salt, boric acid, and mineral oil. The product was first introduced in 1955 and has since become a popular children’s toy.
Conclusion:
It’s interesting to look back at the history of things like play-doh. We can never know the future and where history will end up. Like the play-doh story, and the story of this iconic toy, who would have thought at the time a product that started off as a popular wallpaper cleaner would become one of history’s most well-recognized and memorable toys? Played with by more than three generations of children, and is still loved by children today.
Play-Doh will remain on the list of popular toys for generations to come.
Do you think play-doh would be the popular and iconic toy it is today if not for Bob Keeshan, also known as Captain Kangaroo?
If he had not agreed to endorse play-doh on his popular children’s television series. Who knows what this story would have ended up looking like?
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