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Silly Putty ranks among the most popular children’s toys ever created. Yet, this stretchy, moldable material isn’t just for children. Discover 15 fascinating facts about Silly Putty that highlight its status as a remarkable example of American innovation—far more than just a simple toy.
1. SILLY PUTTY WAS DISCOVERED BY CHANCE.
While multiple people assert they invented Silly Putty, the common thread in every account is that its creation was entirely accidental. Amid World War II, the U.S. government tasked chemists with finding a synthetic alternative to rubber. Dr. James Wright, a chemical engineer at General Electric and the individual most often credited with the invention, made a breakthrough in 1943. By mixing boric acid with silicon oil, he created a polymerized substance that was stretchy, bouncy, and flexible—similar to rubber but not quite the same. Unfortunately, the material lacked stability, melting easily and failing to maintain a fixed form.
Ruth Fallgatter, a toy store owner, learned about the peculiar substance and chose to stock it in her New Haven, Connecticut shop. Over time, her enthusiasm for the product waned. However, Peter Hodgson, a marketing consultant, saw potential and eagerly took over its promotion.
2. SILLY PUTTY WAS PACKAGED IN PLASTIC EGGS DUE TO EASTER.
Hodgson rebranded the substance as “Silly Putty” and took charge of its sales. The decision to use plastic eggs wasn’t just playful—it was strategic. With spring approaching, Hodgson needed a marketing angle, and Easter provided the perfect opportunity to attract attention to the new toy.
3. SILLY PUTTY WAS INITIALLY TARGETED AT ADULTS.
Silly Putty didn’t make waves at the 1950 International Toy Fair. However, buyers from Neiman-Marcus and Doubleday bookstores showed interest, and soon after, the product gained recognition in the New Yorker’s “Talk of the Town” section. This exposure led to an overwhelming response, with Hodgson receiving over 250,000 orders within just three days.
Silly Putty truly soared in popularity once Hodgson recognized a more profitable audience: children. He launched a TV advertising campaign for Silly Putty, now regarded as one of the earliest commercials aimed at kids. The move was a massive success; by the time Hodgson passed away in 1976, his estate was valued at $140 million, equivalent to nearly $590 million today.
4. SILLY PUTTY PRODUCTION WAS SUSPENDED DURING THE KOREAN WAR.
Due to a silicone shortage during the Korean War, Hodgson had to pause Silly Putty production for several years. While sales dipped during this period, they rebounded significantly once the war concluded.
5. SILLY PUTTY IS CURRENTLY OWNED BY THE MAKERS OF CRAYOLA CRAYONS.
Binney & Smith, the Pennsylvania-based company behind the iconic Crayola crayons, acquired Silly Putty a year after Hodgson’s death. (The company is now known as Crayola LLC.) Both products are produced in the same facility.
6. SILLY PUTTY IS CLASSIFIED AS A "LIQUID SOLID."
When dropped, Silly Putty bounces. If thrown from a height, it breaks apart. Stretch it, and it extends. Strike it with a hammer, and it retains its form.
7. IT USED TO TRANSFER INK FROM NEWSPAPERS.
Long before digital editing tools, creative children could alter images by pressing Silly Putty onto newspapers, lifting the ink, and transferring it elsewhere. Unfortunately, modern newspapers use ink that doesn’t transfer, making this trick a thing of the past.
8. IT’S PART OF THE SMITHSONIAN COLLECTION.
Silly Putty achieved historical significance alongside Judy Garland’s famous ruby slippers when it was added to the National Museum of American History’s permanent collections. Museum archivist John A. Fleckner selected it for its representation of “innovation, business acumen, and enduring appeal.”
9. IT HAS TRAVELED TO SPACE.
During the 1968 Apollo 8 mission, astronauts brought Silly Putty to lunar orbit inside a custom sterling-silver egg. While it entertained the crew, it also served a functional role by securing tools in zero gravity.
10. IT’S UTILIZED TO IMPROVE GRIP STRENGTH.
Athletes, including renowned football player Raymond Barry, use Silly Putty to enhance their grip strength.
11. IT HAS BEEN UTILIZED BY ZOOS.
The Columbus Zoo in Ohio once employed Silly Putty to create molds of gorilla paws for educational initiatives. It’s unclear if the gorillas found it as entertaining as humans do.
12. IT’S TRANSFORMED INTO ART.
Artist George Horner creates his paintings on an unconventional medium: expansive sheets of Silly Putty. These unique artworks fetch prices in the thousands.
13. IT’S ONE OF THE BEST-SELLING TOYS IN HISTORY.
Crayola reports that over 300 million eggs of Silly Putty have been sold since 1950, totaling a staggering 4500 tons of the stretchy material.
14. ITS PRICE HAS REMAINED UNCHANGED.
When Silly Putty first hit the market in 1950, it cost $1. Remarkably, it still sells for the same price today—though the quantity has decreased. Originally, each egg contained a 1-ounce piece, but now it holds less than half an ounce.
15. ITS FORMULA HAS STAYED THE SAME.
While Silly Putty now comes in vibrant colors like neon, gold, and glow-in-the-dark, the core formula remains unchanged from the original peach-colored version introduced in 1950. Made from silicone oil and boric acid, the recipe has remained consistent for 65 years and shows no signs of changing. It’s a timeless childhood staple.
