#10: Play-Doh
In the 1930s, Play-Doh’s journey began uniquely at Kroger Grocery’s behest. Crafted by Noah McVicker of Kutol Products, a soap manufacturer in Cincinnati, this innovative modeling compound was initially designed to tackle coal soot on wallpaper. However, decades later, Kay Zufall, Noah’s nephew’s sister-in-law, steered its transformation into a beloved children’s product.
By the mid-1950s, Kay Zufall, a dedicated nursery school teacher, discovered the magic of what was then just putty for her students, making classes both fun and educational. She shared this success with Noah and Joe McVicker, creating a creative pivot toward a children’s toy. Despite original plans for the name “Rainbow Modeling Compound,” Zufall’s ingenuity led to the catchy and enduring name “Play-Doh.”