IT’S the soft, putty-like toy loved by millions of kids all over the world.
But parents have been left gobsmacked after discovering the original purpose of modelling clay Play-Doh.
Play-Doh was invented for a very different purpose when it was first launched in the 1930s[/caption]
Although it is now mainly used for arts and crafts in homes and schools, turns out, Play-Doh was invented for a very different purpose when it was first launched several decades ago.
Revealing the history behind the bright putty, an Instagram page called @fascinating_historic_world listed a handful of products ”that became successful because customers used them completely wrong”.
Far from a children’s toy, Play-Doh was originally created as a wall cleaner as a way to remove coal residue and soot stains from inside the home.
It was first invented by Noah McVicker for Cincinnati-based soap manufacturer Kutol Products during the 1930s as a wallpaper cleaner.
Designed during a period where coat heating was common, Kutol created the clay as a tool to remove soot left by coal generated heaters.
It was manufactured for users to stamp onto stained wallpaper to absorb and remove dark marks that couldn’t be extracted by basic cleaning alone.
However, just two decades later, the use of the malleable putty had changed completely.
As World War II came to a close, it became clear that there was no longer a need for wallpaper cleaning putty – and this by the 1950s Play-Doh was reinvented as a children’s toy.
In 1956, the colourful dough was presented at an educational convention with several department stores racing to cram their stock with the exciting product.
A year later, it was being advertised on TV, including on a number of influential shows. This further increased sales of Play-Doh.
As the Instagram video explained: ”When schools started using the non-toxic cleaning compound for children’s art projects, the company rebranded their wallpaper cleaner as the world’s most popular children’s toy and creative medium.”
People were left gobsmacked by the discovery, as many admitted they hadn’t known it was ever used for anything other than a children’s toy, Mail Online reported.
One person wrote jokingly wrote: ”Play Doh: Back when wallpaper was made of actual paper.”
What to watch out for when buying toys online
HERE are the British Toy and Hobby Association’s top tips for buying toys online:
- Shop early. Don’t leave purchases to the last minute rush which might leave you fewer options of where to buy from.
- Check out third-party sellers. Look for sellers you recognise and trust. Be cautious of retailers you don’t know and do your research checking reviews and where they’re based.
- Go for branded toys. Try and choose a branded toy as then you can compare it to the manufacturer’s own website to check it’s legit.
- Be careful of going for the cheapest price. If something looks too good to be true, it probably is.
- Check if there are any age restrictions. Make sure you give suitable toys to children based on their age.
- Check reviews carefully. Some reviews are fake so look carefully at the comments.
- Stay with children at first. When your child opens a toy for the first time, stay with them and check for faults, detachable small parts, access to stuffing and loose or accessible batteries or magnets.
A second said: ”Just looked up all these products up. Cannot believe this is all true, but I shouldn’t be surprised.
”There was a time where cocaine was used as sinus medicine so I should not be surprised.”
A third remarked: ”I knew it! When I played with Play-Doh, I always thought it smelled very industrial.”
It comes after people were left shocked after discovering why Imperial Leather soaps have stickers on – and you should never tear them off for this reason.
Eleanor took to Facebook to let other people in on the secret, as she admitted the knowledge has made using the bars even more pleasing.
“Having recently discovered there is a purpose for the sticker on a bar of Imperial Leather, I left it in place and have been placing the bar of soap sticker-down (the sticker stops the soap sitting in a soggy soapy puddle, in case you’ve been living in a cave),” she wrote on the Upcycleit, Handmade & Crafters on the Tedooo app group.
“The excitement builds as the soap nears its end.”
Eleanor’s post was confirmed in a statement from Imperial Leather’s manufacturer, who said: “Besides the brand identity, the sticker on the top is for a long-lasting bar and preventing mushiness.
“When the soap is used, the sticker will make and keep the top surface, where the sticker is on, concave.
“After use, the soap is supposed to be upside down.
“The concave surface will help water run out from the bar and minimise the touching surface on a soap tray.”
Play-Doh was manufactured for users to stamp onto stained wallpaper to absorb and remove dark marks that couldn’t be extracted by basic cleaning alone[/caption]