Surprising Product Origins
Surprising Product Origins
Some of the most popular products we use today were the result of accidents, coincidence and other odd and weird origins. Here are a few that you may not have known about.
Frisbee
These “flying discs” trace their origin to New Haven, Connecticut and the use of simple pie pans that were thrown and caught. They eventually developed into the “Pluto-Platter” until the Wham-O Corporation bought the rights to sell the discs in 1957. The “Frisbee” was bon and has been a beach staple ever since.
Alka Seltzer
In 1934, when the owner of Dr. Miles Medical Company was visited by a newspaper during a flu epidemic, he asked the newspaper editor how his staff remained healthy when there was so much sickness around. He was told the answer was simple aspirin washed down with baking soda and water. The Miles Medical Lab chemist was called in to create an easy-to-use formula of the concoction and Alka Seltzer was created.
Wheaties
The iconic cereal was actually created by accident when an employee of the company that would become General Mills spilled a wheat mixture on a hot stove. Two years later Wheaties was introduced and the “Breakfast of Champions” took its place in cereal history.
Play-Doh
This children’s clay like toy actually got its start as a wallpaper cleaning product named Kutol. The cleaning compound was shipped to a teacher friend of the company’s owner who was looking for an easy to use, and clean up after, clay for his students to use. The kids loved it, even though it only came in an ugly off-white. Bright coloring was added and packaging was made to appeal to children. Play-Doh has remained largely unchanged since.
ChapStick
The lip balm was invented by a Virginia doctor in th mid-1800s, with the waxy substance sold in tinfoil wrapped packaging. The physician continued with his company, but it struggled, and in 1912, the doctor sold the recipe to John Morton for $5. Morton and his wife made batches of the stuff in a bathtub, and it sold well. Sales really took off when Frank Wright Jr. was commissioned to create the iconic ChapStick logo that is still used today.
It has been said that sometimes the success of a product is part inspiration and perspiration. Sometimes it is luck. Don’t rely on luck to protect your small business. Talk to us about a small business insurance plan to protect your company. Contact us for your free quote today.
Do you have questions about your insurance? Find an insurance agent near you with our Agent Finder
Search All Blogs
Search All Blogs
Read More Blogs
Step Back in Time: 7 Small Towns with Unique American Atmospheres
Discover America’s most atmospherically unique small towns.
Beyond the Bar: Customer Service Lessons from the Best Bartenders
Unlock customer service secrets from your favorite bartender.
Your Safety Net Has a Safety Net: Understanding the Life Insurance “Free Look” Period
Discover your life insurance policy’s “free look” period.
From Edsel to Yugo: Three Automotive Flops That Made History
The biggest blunders in automotive history.
Stay or Go? Why Improving Your Current Home Might Be Your Best Move Yet
Love your home, don’t leave it! Discover why improving beats moving.
The Unforgettable Eight: Women Who Captured Our Hearts
Meet the eight women who are loved by all.
Elevate Your Enterprise: 11 Smart Ways to Boost Business Professionalism
Boost your business’s professionalism without breaking the bank.
Lightening the Load: A Guide to Decluttering for Your Loved Ones
Declutter for peace of mind, yours and theirs.
Smart Car Buying: Beyond the Sticker Price
Unlock the hidden costs of car ownership.
6 Simple Steps to Supercharge Your Home Security
Simple, affordable ways to protect your home.