How Play-Doh (Accidentally) Came to Be: Innovation vs Invention
We’ve all seen it, all know of it, and probably enjoyed playing with it as a child. To date, Play-Doh remains one of the world’s most well-loved toys. But how did Play-Doh come to be? In order to explain this, we must first distinguish between two important terms, invention and innovation.
INVENTION refers to the creation of something from nothing. The inventor has created something new and never seen before, often wowing the world with the wonders of what their new product or service can do.
INNOVATION is different. The idea of innovation refers to taking a pre-existing invention (product, service), and adding more value to it — in which consumers will pay more for the new version of the product. Innovation means that you are taking something that already exists, and making it better.
Today, entrepreneurs and businessmen/women continue to invent, yet still appreciate the idea of innovation, gaining popularity. In fact, this now sets the scene for the revolutionary idea and innovation of Kay Zufall, and the rise of Play-Doh.
Meet Kutol Products: Just what your wallpaper needs
1912, Cincinnati. Kutol Products was selling a pliable, soft putty — one that could be used to remove soot on the wallpaper in your home, due to the buildup of coal in the heating systems or from the fireplace. The company was doing well, and grew to become the largest wallpaper cleaning manufacturer in the world come the 20th century. But when households and individuals began using gas, electricity and cleaner oil to heat their homes, there was less wallpaper soot — which meant less of a need for the revolutionary Kutol products. The company’s revenues began to fall, and co-founder Joesph McVicker needed a new plan to turn the business around.
It was at that point that Kay Zufall, a school teacher and sister-in-law of McVicker, brought up an interesting idea. She had previously read about how wallpaper putty could be used as a children’s modelling clay toy, and suggested that they rebrand their company with such a product.
The putty was non-toxic, held its shape, and when she tested it out with her students (whom were quite young), they adored it. After informing McVicker, they no longer had Kutol Products for wallpapers, but Play-Doh (renaming their product) — a malleable substance that could be transformed into anything else, provided you used your imagination.
What Came Next, and Why?
From there, Play-Doh expanded into a wide range of new colours, products and accessories, and continues to do so to this day! Though not a direct invention, Play-Doh shows how innovation of older products (in this case, Kutol products) can often be a result of the need to create something new to fit the needs, wants and desires of their consumers. When they will no longer pay for a certain item/service (such as wallpaper soot remover), businesses are forced to change their approach: either make something new, or make what they have appealing to them again. In fact, some of the factors that will influence the demand or choices made by businesses include:
- Technological advances
- Societal standards
- Recent events
- Income of consumers
- Prices of related goods
- Consumer expectations
- Etc.
These are all factors that play a role in impacting the demand for a certain good or service. With these constantly at play, it is important to note that both innovation and invention are important; as well as different.
Full article from Smithsonian Magazine can be found here
Written by Lauren Fong, Writer for the Junior Economist
Originally published on December 16th, 2019
