Play-Doh - Bridging the Generation Gap
Play Doh
There aren't many toys which can bridge the generation gap between parents, grandparents, great grandparents and youngsters like Play-Doh can. Since it was created in 1956 it's been a bridge for generations of members of the family by providing a crafty entertainment value for people of all ages. The non-toxic formula was discovered completely by accident whilst its inventors Noah and Joseph McVicken were wanting to create wallpaper cleaner and although the exact makeup of the clay-like substance is kept like a trade secret, ingredients include wheat flour, water, salt, coloring and perfume for that good old Play-Doh scent.
Finger Family
Although Play-Doh isn't edible it is non-toxic which makes it the perfect choice as a craft choice for younger children (the recommended age bracket is 3+). Even though it wasn't around within the years of many older generations family members it is still a fun favorite toy for older and younger generations alike. The no-tech, crafty toy that spans generations can be a favorite for many reasons but primarily its capability to mold to the personality of the baby playing with it! There isn't a thing that can't be completed with Play-Doh and this is never more evident than in a recent Sony Bravia publicity stunts featuring multiple plenty of the crafty substance sculpted in to colorful rabbits which congregate directly into one colorful mass in the city center.
Not just has Hasbro cornered the market using the Play-Doh product but they have cornered the market with the expense of such an in demand toy. To buy four full sized pots of "doh"it will set you back a dollar and some change. It is almost unheard of nowadays to be able to provide quality entertainment for a family for less than two dollars and Hasbro has quite effectively accomplished this using the brand. To be able to offer entertainment, creativity and family interaction for under two dollars for a group of four (or more if you can share) is not only a great opportunity for families everywhere to have "cheap" fun but it is also a way for families in lower income brackets to have family fun also. Maintaining a low cost on the product has enabled Hasbro to boost the span of their product. Hasbro has not only bridged generational gaps nevertheless they have also successfully bridged social gaps between income brackets.
Over the years Play-Doh has invented and reinvented various products including fun-factories, tools and play sets, all of which are updated to meet the expectations of younger generations, including the Dora the Explorer Play-Doh play set. Even though the times are changing and new themes are increasingly being added in to the product line the original product will not be replaced, as Play-Doh is actually a toy which bridges the space between generations. This is a toy which doesn't require words, it won't require opinions also it certainly doesn't require familiarity with "how to play." Play-Doh is among the simplest and yet most entertaining toys out on the market.