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Play-Doh History

In the mid-1950s, a new kind of clay that could be used for modeling began to show up in schools and stores. The product became a popular toy for children called Play-Doh, and the rest is history. Over the course of the last five decades, Play-Doh has become a favorite plaything for children all around the world. Although toys have changed a lot in the last few decades, Play-Doh has not lost its universal appeal.

Early History
- In 1956, Noah and Joseph McVicker sought out to create a wallpaper cleaner. However, things worked out differently and instead of creating wallpaper cleaner, they filed for and received a patent for a "plastic modeling composition" which came to be called Play-Doh. It did not take long for Play-Doh to catch on. Children loved that they could create mini statues one moment and then smash the dough the next moment.
Marketing
- After Joseph McVicker provided classrooms with his not-yet-named substance in the earlier part of the 1950s, the substance became so popular that department stores quickly took notice. The first cans of Play-Doh were sold at Woodward &Lothrop Department Store, which was located in Washington D.C.
  
  The first cans included an elf on the label of the cans, but it was not long before a new mascot was unveiled and placed on the cans. The new mascot--Play-Doh Pete--still can be found on the cans today.
Types
- The first types of Play-Doh were all white. While children still enjoyed playing with the white Play-Doh, they started to get an idea of what they had been missing in the 1960s when Play-Doh began to manufacture in the primary colors. With these new types of Play-Doh, the company was able to see sales grow because children wanted to have each color to create art. Multiple cans were sold together as package deals as well as individually.
Containers
- The Play-Doh company began to consider making a change to the cans early in the 1980s. In 1986, the cardboard cans were replaced with plastic containers. The plastic containers help keep the Play-Doh fresh.
Future
- If the first 50 years of Play-Doh are any indication, chances are that the product will not go away very soon. Hasbro, which now owns the rights to Play-Doh, has continued to make changes and ask questions about Play-Doh. In 2000, Hasbro asked consumers to vote on their favorite Play-Doh colors. Rose red, garden green, blue lagoon and purple paradise were voted to be the favorite colors. Play-Doh documented its first 50 years by creating an educational, Play-Doh-related CD-ROM.

Childrens Toys