Wikipedia

Play-Doh

Play-Dohor also known asPlay-Doughis amodeling compoundfor young children to make arts and crafts projects. The product was first manufactured inCincinnati,Ohio,United States,as awallpapercleaner in the 1930s.[1]Play-Doh was then reworked and marketed toCincinnatischools in the mid-1950s. Play-Doh was demonstrated at an educational convention in 1956 and prominent department stores opened retail accounts.[2]

Play-Doh

Logo used since 2015
A can of green Play-Doh
TypeModelling clay
Inventor(s)Kay Zufall
Brian Joseph McVicker
Bill Rhodenbaugh
CompanyKutol
(1955)
Rainbow Crafts
(1956–1971)
Kenner
(1971–1991)
Hasbro
(1991–present)
CountryUnited States
Age range2+
Availability1956–present
SloganFun to play with, not to eat
Official website

Advertisements promoting Play-Doh on influential children's television shows in 1957 furthered the product's sales.[1]Since its launch on the toy market in the mid-1950s, Play-Doh has generated a considerable amount of ancillary merchandise such as the Fun Factory.[3]

History

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Origin

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Objects made out of Play-Doh

The non-toxic, non-staining, reusable modeling compound that came to be known as "Play-Doh" was a pliable, putty-like substance concocted by Noah McVicker ofCincinnati-based soap manufacturerKutol Products.It was devised at the request ofKroger Grocery,which wanted a product that could cleancoalresidue from wallpaper.[4]

FollowingWorld War II,with the transition from coal-based home heating tonatural gasand the resulting decrease in internal soot, and the introduction of washablevinyl-based wallpaper, the market for wallpaper cleaning putty decreased substantially. McVicker's nephew, Joe McVicker, joined Kutol with the remit to save the company from bankruptcy. Joe McVicker was the brother-in-law of nursery school teacher Kay Zufall, who had seen a newspaper article about making art projects with the wallpaper cleaning putty.[5]Her students enjoyed it, and she persuaded Noah McVicker (who also sold the putty) and Joe McVicker to manufacture it as a child’s toy.[5]Zufall and her husband came up with the name Play-Doh; Joe McVicker and his uncle Noah had wanted to call it "Rainbow Modeling Compound".[5]

Launch

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Joe McVicker took Play-Doh to an educational convention for manufacturers of school supplies,[1]andWoodward & Lothrop,a department store inWashington, DCbegan selling the compound.[6]In 1956, the McVickers formed the Rainbow Crafts Company to make and sell Play-Doh.[7]Also in 1956, a three-pack of 7-ounce cans was added to the product line, and, after in-store demonstrations,Macy'sofNew YorkandMarshall Field'sofChicagoopened retail accounts. In 1957, chemist Dr. Tien Liu reduced Play-Doh's salt content (thus allowing models to dry without losing their color), and Play-Doh ads were telecast onCaptain Kangaroo,Ding Dong School,andRomper Room.In 1958, Play-Doh's sales reached nearly $3 million.[1]

Subsequent developments

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In 1964, Play-Doh was exported to Britain, France, and Italy.[1]By 1965, Rainbow Crafts received a patent for Play-Doh.[8]Also in 1965, the food companyGeneral Millsbought Rainbow Crafts for $3 million.[1][6]In 1967, General Mills boughtKenner Products.In 1971, Rainbow Crafts and Kenner merged, and, in 1987, theTonka Corporationbought the two. In the 1980s, its cardboard can (with a rust-prone metal bottom) was replaced with a more cost effective plastic container.[9]In 1991,Hasbrobecame the owner of Play-Doh, putting the compound under itsPlayskoolbrand, and continues to manufacture the product today.[1]In 1996, gold and silver were added to Play-Doh's palette to celebrate its 40th anniversary.[10]

More than two billion cans of Play-Doh were sold between 1955 and 2005,[1]and, in 2005, Play-Doh was being sold in 75 countries at 95 million cans a year.[1]In the United States, more than 6,000 stores carry Play-Doh.[11]

Play-Doh was inducted into theNational Toy Hall of FameatThe StronginRochester, New York,in 1998.[12]

In 2003, theToy Industry Associationplaced Play-Doh into its "Century of Toys List", a roll call of the 100 most memorable and most creative toys of the twentieth century.[13]

In late 2014, the company offered to replace the "Play-Doh Cake Mountain" playset's extruder tool, for free, after receiving complaints about the tool's "phallic shape".[14]

Scent

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To mark Play-Doh's fiftieth anniversary,Demeter Fragrance Librarycreated a limited-editionfragranceinspired by Play-Doh's distinctive odor for "highly-creative people, who seek a whimsical scent reminiscent of their childhood."[2][15][16]

In 2018, Hasbro registered Play-Doh's signature scent with theUnited States Patent and Trademark Office.It's described as a "combination of a sweet, slightly musky, vanilla-like fragrance, with slight overtones of cherry, and the natural smell of a salted, wheat-based dough."[15][16]

Mascots

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Doh-Dohs at theNuremberg International Toy Fair2016

Play-Doh packaging was briefly illustrated with children in the mid-1950s, but replaced by the Play-Doh Pixie, an elfmascotwhich, in 1960, was superseded by Play-Doh Pete, a smock andberet-wearingcartoonish boy.[1][17]By 1992, Play Doh Pete's beret was recolored in blue, and his eyes were given a more human look. Later in 2000, Play-Doh Pete's beret was replaced with a baseball cap. Play-Doh Pete later retired and was removed in 2003, lasting for 42 years.[1]Since 2012, the Doh-Dohs are the mascots.[18]

Ingredients

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Play-Doh's current manufacturer, Hasbro, says the compound is primarily a mixture of water,salt,andflour,[2]while its 2004United States patentindicates it is composed of water, a starch-based binder, aretrogradationinhibitor, salt, lubricant,surfactant,preservative,hardener,humectant,fragrance, and color.[19]

Apetroleumadditive gives the compound a smooth feel, andboraxprevents mold from developing.[3]Play-Doh contains wheat and may cause allergic reactions in people who are allergic to wheat gluten. It is not intended to be eaten.[20]

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Play-Doh Fun Factory

In 1960, the Play-Doh Fun Factory (a toy press that extrudes the compound in various shapes) was invented by Bob Boggild and Bill Dale.[1]The Play-Doh Fuzzy Pumper Barber & Beauty Shop of 1977 and Mop Top Hair Shop of 1986 featured a figurine whose extruded "hair" could be styled.[citation needed]

In 1995, an educational software CD-ROM game,Play-Doh Creationswas released.[citation needed]

In 2003, the Play-Doh Creativity Table was sold. Play-Doh related merchandise introduced during the 2007 anniversary year included the Play-Doh Birthday Bucket, the Play-Doh Fifty Colors Pack, the Fuzzy Pumper Crazy Cuts (a reworking of the 1977 Fuzzy Pumper Barber & Beauty Shop), and the Play-Doh Creativity Center.[3]In 2012, "Play-Doh Plus" was introduced. It is lighter, more pliable, and softer than regular Play-Doh.[citation needed]

Other media

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Film

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On April 2, 2015,20th Century Foxannounced work on a film adaptation with Hasbro Studios along with its subsidiary companyAllspark PicturesandChernin Entertainmentproducing, Jason Micallef writing, andPaul Feigdirecting from his production company Feigco.[21]The film was eventually cancelled and rejected after the acquisition of Fox's parent company21st Century FoxbyThe Walt Disney Company.[citation needed]

On March 17, 2022, it was announced that a new animated film adaptation is in development atEntertainment Oneand its parent company Hasbro,Emily V. Gordonwriting andJon M. Chuproducing and possibly directing.[22][23]

Series

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A game show adaptation started streaming onAmazon Freevee(then known as IMDb TV) initially as a one-off holiday special on December 10, 2021 and later as a full-length series on November 11, 2022. It is hosted bySarah Hyland.[24][25]

See also

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References

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  1. ^abcdefghijklWalsh, Tim (2005)."Play-doh".Timeless Toys: Classic Toys and the Playmakers Who Created Them.Kansas City: Andrews McMeel Publishing. pp.115–120.ISBN978-0-7407-5571-2.Archivedfrom the original on 2023-07-31.Retrieved2016-02-19.
  2. ^abcWilson, Tracy V. (19 July 2000)."How Play-Doh Modeling Compound Works".How Stuff Works.Archivedfrom the original on 19 June 2017.RetrievedFebruary 19,2009.
  3. ^abcSobey, Edwin J.C.; Woody Sobey (2008).The Way Toys Work: The Science Behind the Magic 8 Ball, Etch A Sketch, Boomerang, and More.Chicago Review Press. p. 96.ISBN978-1-55652-745-6.Archivedfrom the original on 2023-07-31.Retrieved2016-02-19.
  4. ^"Accidental Brands"Archived2012-08-15 at theWayback Machine,fromUnder the Influence,byTerry O'Reilly,onCBC.ca;first broadcast March 17, 2012
  5. ^abcGreg Hatala (January 28, 2014)."Made in Jersey: Play-Doh is a Dover teacher's handiwork".NJ.com, The Star-Ledger.Archivedfrom the original on May 6, 2016.RetrievedApril 16,2016.
  6. ^ab"Rainbow Crafts Company, Inc".Ohio History Central. July 28, 2006.Archivedfrom the original on January 12, 2015.RetrievedOctober 30,2008.
  7. ^Phil Ament."Play-Doh History – Invention of Play-Doh".Ideafinder.com. Archived fromthe originalon June 7, 2011.RetrievedMay 23,2011.
  8. ^Noah W. McVicker and Joseph S. McVicker,"Plastic modeling composition of a soft, pliable working consistency,"Archived2017-12-30 at theWayback MachineU.S. patent no. 3,167,440 (filed: May 17, 1960; issued: January 26, 1965).
  9. ^"The 50 Year History of Play-Doh".2006. Archived fromthe originalon May 15, 2006.RetrievedFebruary 19,2009.
  10. ^Rrodriguez, Paul (May 2, 2006)."Happy 50th, Play-Doh".Orange County Register.Orange County, CA, US.Retrieved2024-01-29.
  11. ^"HowStuffWorks" How Play-Doh Modeling Compound Works "".19 July 2000.Archivedfrom the original on 2017-06-19.Retrieved2007-02-27.
  12. ^"Inducted Toys: Play-Doh".The Strong National Museum of Play.Retrieved2024-01-29.
  13. ^"Century of Toys list probably won't stand the test of time".The Morning Call.Allentown, PA, US. December 27, 2005.
  14. ^Respers France, Lisa (31 December 2014)."Play-Doh will exchange phallic-shaped toy".CNN.com.Archivedfrom the original on 3 January 2015.RetrievedJanuary 3,2015.
  15. ^abSiegel, Rachel (May 24, 2018)."Remember how Play-Doh smells? U.S. trademark officials get it".Washington Post.RetrievedDecember 21,2023.
  16. ^abKooser, Amanda (May 18, 2018)."Hasbro just trademarked Play-Doh's smell. Oh, the memories Just sniff. Don't eat".CNET.RetrievedDecember 21,2023.
  17. ^"Whatever Happened to Play-Doh Pete?".26 March 2018.Archivedfrom the original on 2020-09-27.Retrieved2020-11-01.
  18. ^Corday, Karen (March 7, 2022)."What Happened To Play-Doh?".Grunge.com.Retrieved2024-01-29.
  19. ^"Google Patents".Archivedfrom the original on September 11, 2014.RetrievedJuly 28,2014.
  20. ^"FAQ".Play-Doh.Archivedfrom the original on November 11, 2018.RetrievedApril 1,2019.
  21. ^Fleming, Mike Jr. (April 2, 2015)."Fox Molding 'Play-Doh' Film With Paul Feig Circling; Another Hasbro Toy Brand Making Movie Transfer".Deadline.Archivedfrom the original on January 9, 2020.RetrievedApril 17,2020.
  22. ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 17, 2022)."'Play-Doh': Emily V. Gordon To Write, Jon M. Chu Circling To Direct Animated Pic For eOne & Hasbro About Colorful Clay ".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on March 17, 2022.RetrievedMarch 17,2022.
  23. ^Jackson, Angelique (March 17, 2022)."Play-Doh Animated Movie in the Works from Emily V. Gordon and Jon M. Chu".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on March 17, 2022.RetrievedMarch 17,2022.
  24. ^"IMDb TV Celebrates the Holiday Season with Play-Doh Squished, Premiering December 10 |".Archivedfrom the original on 2022-11-17.Retrieved2022-11-17.
  25. ^"When will Play-Doh Squished 2022 premiere on Amazon Freevee? Sarah Hyland is the host and more".Archivedfrom the original on 2022-11-17.Retrieved2022-11-17.
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