Play-Doh celebrates 50 years

By Staff -- Playthings, 9/13/2006 10:40:00 AM

PAWTUCKET, R.I.—This Saturday, Hasbro will be celebrating a National Play-Doh Day like no other, as it commemorates the 50^th anniversary of its classic modeling compound with national promotions and creative tips and ideas for celebrating at its newly re-launched site at www.playdoh.com.

“Every year we look forward to celebrating National Play-Doh Day. It’s a great opportunity to honor a brand that has held a special place in the hearts of millions of Americans,” says Leigh Anne Cappello, vice president of marketing for Hasbro’s Preschool Brands. “We are extremely thrilled to celebrate this year in particular…what better day to honor the fact that, even in our high-tech world, kids still enjoy rolling out Play-Doh snakes, mixing colors and making Play-Doh animals."

Play-Doh was first created in 1956 by scientists at Rainbow Crafts, a Cincinnati soap and cleaning compound company. It was originally available only in white, with blue, yellow and red versions introduced a year later, and a four pack hitting stores in 1958. According to the company, the traditional 4-Pack remains one of the brand’s best sellers. New play sets were introduced in the 1960s and 1970s, with a Rainbow 8-Pack introduced in the 1980s. In 1986, the packaging was changed from cardboard to a plastic container. In the 90s, sparking, gold, silver and glow-in-the-dark versions were finally made available.

New Play-Doh products include the Fuzzy Pumper Crazy Cuts play set ($9.99), an updated version of the original set from 1977 that allowed kids to “cut” and “comb” characters’ Play-Doh hair, and the Play-Doh Creativity Center ($29.99).

Also as part of the anniversary celebration, Play-Doh has partnered with Snip-its, a national hair salon chain made for kids, to offer in-store Play-Doh activities and the opportunity for families to enter a sweepstakes to win a luxury Caribbean vacation.

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