Concerning Play-Doh

The history of plasticine, or play-doh as its called in America is inspirational. In the early twentieth century, coal-powered furnaces were the preferred choice for heaters. The sooty residue would cling onto the wallpaper and a common way to remove it was to use a clay-based cleaner. Kutol Products were one of the companies that manufactured this cleaner. After World War 2 these furnaces were replaced by conversion furnaces (powered by oil or gas). This along with new wallpapers made from vinyl which could be cleaned with soapy water meant that Kutol’s wall cleaner was fast becoming a video cassette in a DVD world.

Luckily, they discovered that kids loved playing with the stuff. So they replaced the solvent smell with an almond scent, added some colouring and re-packaged it as ‘Play-Doh’. Thus saving the company, and making a fortune.

James L. Brooks touched on this story in his terrible Romcom ‘How Do You Know’ (2010) when one of the characters used the story as an analogy to drive home a great quote (in an otherwise forgettable movie)

“We are all just one small adjustment away from making our lives work.”