Search the Toy Encyclopedia


Play-Doh
"Modeling Compound"
By Euphrates
Play-Doh Fade into a cluttered daycare center. As the camera pans across the room, we see several children playing quietly at a long table. Some are coloring, some are reading and two, little Adam and Eve, are playing with modeling clay. The camera tightens in on Eve, who is staring oddly at her fresh, red-colored, cylinder-shaped Play-Doh. As the camera comes in even closer, we see from the expression on her face that she is really struggling with a decision.

Slowly, a clink-clank sound begins to fade in. The camera slowly pulls back to reveal Satan, in the form of a Slinky, teetering uncertainly on the table to Eve's left. "Eeeeeeeeve...", he hisses, "Pick up the Play-Doh. Hold it to your nose. Doesn't that smell good? Touch it with your tongue? Mmmmmm, salty isn't it?" And then forcefully, "Go ahead, eat it! Look at the label, Non-Toxic! It can't hurt you!"

Play-Doh needs no introduction, which is why a fictitious one will suffice. Children have been molding with it (molding was temporary, as it took 3 days for a piece to air dry to the point where it was durable enough to keep its shape) and, yes, even eating it, for more than 40 years. In fact, did you know that September 16th is National Play-Doh Day? That about says it all, doesn't it?

Early cans are marked "1959 Rainbow Crafts Inc." and featured a lovable elf. In the early '60s the elf was dismissed and replaced by a boy dressed as an artist. I suppose that he was lovable too, but you sorta had to know the elf. If you happen to pick up a vintage can, the compound will mostly likely be hardend. Also, the bottom of the cans were very vunerable to rust. Not to worry though, you can still find Play-Doh and Play-Doh molding sets in stores today, and it smells (and tastes?) just like you remember!

By the way, I never tried it, but if I had, I would have eaten the white dough.

Partial List of Play-Doh Sets

Basic Set - red, blue, yellow, white
Color-Change Eskimo Fun Playset
Electronic Sizzlin' Skillet
Fast Food Premiums - Pizza Hut, McDonalds, Burger King
Forge Press 3-D Toy Molder - Farm Animals
Fun Factory
Funny Pumper
Fuzzy Pumper Barber Shop
Jewels and Gems Bead Machine
Make-A-Meal Chef's Oven
Microscope
Monster Truck Mold & Mash
Mop Top Set
Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head Playset
Pet Grooming Salon
Play-Pak
Power Rangers Playset
Stampers - Peanuts
Star Wars Playset
Super Powers Playset - Batman & Wonderwoman
Ties
Wacky Scents Play-Doh

Play-Doh Competition

Gloopy - Kenner
Silly Putty - Silly Putty Marketing
Super Dough - Tyco

Copyright 1996-2011 GoGoMag.com. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.