From Wallpaper Cleaner to Play-Doh

In 1954 Chemist Joseph McVicker was working for his mothers company, Kutol Products, who were in the business of manufacturing soap and cleaning products. Joseph had learned from a teacher that many of the younger children found typical classroom modeling clay too stiff to manipulate. He remembered that a non-toxic composition he had created as wallpaper cleaner was easily pliable and could take the place of typical modeling clay used in schools.

Using the production faculties of Kutol to manufacture the concoction, he produced and tested the product in a few lucky Ohio elementary schools. After positive feedback from the testing, the product was showcased at a national education convention. With serious interest from department stores across the country, the Joseph starting plotting his next move. In 1956, Joseph McVicker and his uncle, Noah McVicker, created the Rainbow Crafts Company, Inc. with the sole intent of manufacturing Play-Doh. The Woodward & Lothrop Department Store in Washington, DC, began to sell the clay which had come to be known as Play-Doh.

The duo applied for a patent for Play-Doh in 1958. It wasn’t until 7 years later, 1965, that U.S. Patent No. 3,167,440 was granted to the McVicker’s. The patent was for “plastic modeling composition of a soft, playable working consistency”.

Originally, Play-Doh came only in off-white and contained in 1.5 pound cardboard can. Over the next several years, modifications were made to the formula to improve its ability to impress the littlest of its fans with a softer, more pliable form of Play-Doh. Eventually more colors were added, with yellow, red, and blue being the first. Collections of accessories and Play-Doh paraphernalia were released, along with the introduction of Play-Doh Pete in 1960.

In 1986 Play-Doh underwent one of its largest changes since inception. Do to problems with rusting bottoms on the cardboard containers, and general flimsiness of the cardboard design, traditional containers were replaced with a sturdier yellow plastic container. Not only did the new containers solve those problems, but they also offered a cost savings and gave the Play-Doh stored in them a longer life.

The ownership of the Play-Doh brand has changed hands many times. In 1965, Rainbow Crafts was purchased by General Mills. Tonka Corporation later bought Rainbow Crafts, who was purchased in 1991 by Play-Dohs current owners, Hasbro.

Joseph McVicker became a millionaire before his 27th birthday. With the delight of many Play-Doh fans, National Play-Doh Day is celebrated September 18th. To date, over 900 million pounds of Play-Doh have been sold.

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