http://www.zihala.com/binney-smith/
The History of Silly Putty
Almost everyone in America is familiar with Silly Putty. The sort of liquid, sort of solid toy (to be technical it’s a non-Newtonian fluid!) has been loved by both children and adults since its inception. But have you ever wondered how Silly Putty was invented? And how did it become so popular? The answers are found when taking a look back at the history of Silly Putty.
The story starts during World War II. Rubber had become a vital resource for the production of military products like tires and boots. In the United States rubber was so scarce that it was rationed for citizens. People were encouraged to make do with what rubber products that had while the government researched synthetic alternatives.
One inventor working for General Electric, a Mr. James Wright, discovered that mixing boric acid with silicone oil produced a material with unique properties. It was gooey…it was bouncy…and it would stretch farther than regular rubber. Perhaps because of its uniqueness, the material was put on the shelf for several years, as it was not a good replacement for rubber. Despite Wright’s efforts to have other scientists experiment with the material, no uses could be found.
That is until 1949 when a toy store owner by the name of Ruth Fallgatter and marketing consultant Peter Hodgson teamed up to market the bouncing putty. They ran an ad in a catalog selling the unique putty for $2.00. It quickly became one of the best selling items in the catalog. While Fallgatter did not wish to pursue further, Hodgson saw the potential. He bought a batch of the putty to package 1 oz portions inside plastic eggs. This is when the name Silly Putty was born. Hodgson was soon rewarded…250,000 eggs of Silly Putty were sold in just three days.
While originally marketed to adults, by 1955 the majority of consumers were children under the age of 12. In 1957 the first television commercials for Silly Putty were aired during the Howdy Doody Show. By 1961 the novelty had stretched across the globe, gaining popularity in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and the Soviet Union. Perhaps the ultimate testimonial to its popularity, Apollo 8 astronauts brought Silly Putty to the moon.
Peter Hodgson died in 1976, and Silly Putty was sold to Binney and Smith, the makers of Crayola products. By 1987 Silly Putty was selling over two million eggs every year, and it remains one of the most popular toys in the world today.
About the Author
The author has been involved with making and selling toys and novelties for over 10 years. You can find a wide variety of novelty items and science supplies at his website www.AFScience.com
Binney and Smith Sesh
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