Fun to play with, not to eat.

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About PLAY-DOH
Great Moments in PLAY-DOH Compound History

Here are some highlights from our colourful history.

PLAY-DOH History Timeline
1956

PLAY-DOH Brand modeling compound, a non-toxic reusable modeling compound developed by Rainbow Crafts in Cincinnati, is demonstrated and sold in the toy department of Woodward & Lothrop Department Store in Washington, D.C. PLAY-DOH compound is available only in one colour and size, an off-white, 1.5 pound can. One year earlier, it had been introduced in schools, kindergartens, and nursery schools.

1957

Three new colours join the PLAY-DOH compound line - yellow, red and blue - and now they're available in the new three-pack. Early TV advertising features Miss Frances on "Ding Dong School" and "Captain Kangaroo."

1958

The four-pack including red, yellow, blue and white PLAY-DOH compounds, debuts at American Toy Fair.

1960

The new FUN FACTORY playset expands the line, and PLAY-DOH Pete debuts on the new logo.

1960

New two-ounce "mini-cans" enter stores.

1964

PLAY-DOH compound becomes the international can of ... fun! It goes on sale in England, France, and Italy.

1970

The PLAY-DOH Pete TV commercial, featuring the image on all PLAY-DOH compound packaging, is voted into the top 100 best commercials by Advertising Age.

1971

Kenner Products merges with Rainbow Crafts, and PLAY-DOH compound becomes part of the Kenner line.

1972

 Wow! The 500,000,000th can of PLAY-DOH compound rolls out of the factory.

1983

PLAY-DOH compound introduces the new Rainbow eight-pack - four bright new colours join the original four.

1986

After 30 years of cardboard cans, PLAY-DOH compound packaging gets a makeover. Tightly sealed, easy-to-open plastic containers ensure a longer-lasting compound.

1991

PLAY-DOH compound joins Hasbro, Inc. as part of the Playskool line, when Hasbro purchases the TONKA Corporation and its Kenner and Parker Brothers divisions.

1996

For the 40th birthday of PLAY-DOH compound, Hasbro introduces two new colours, gold and silver, as well as PLAY-DOH CREATIONS, a new educational CD-ROM game for children.

1997

The PLAY-DOH FUZZY PUMPER BARBER & BEAUTY SHOP playset, featuring a play figure whose "hair" can be extruded and then styled, is re-introduced, 20 years after its first appearance.

2000

The PLAY-DOH Colourful Campaign collects more than 100,000 votes to determine the country's favorite colours of PLAY-DOH compound. Rose Red, Purple Paradise, Blue Lagoon, and Garden Green win as favourites.

2003

The huge PLAY-DOH CREATIVITY TABLE is introduced. This all-in-one play station provides a place for lots of creative play, with markers, crayons and, of course, PLAY-DOH compound!

2006

PLAY-DOH compound turns 50 years young. To mark the milestone, Hasbro introduces the PLAY-DOH BIRTHDAY BUCKET and the PLAY-DOH 50-PACK of colours, which includes six new super pastel colours. In addition, the popular PLAY-DOH FUZZY PUMPER BARBER & BEAUTY SHOP playset returns as the FUZZY PUMPER CRAZY CUTS playset, and the PLAY-DOH CREATIVITY CENTER gives kids a new place to play, as well as lots of storage and a handy Pick Up Stick to clean PLAY-DOH off playing surfaces.