Why can’t I think of something like this? Gary Dahl did and became a millionaire. The pet came in a box with holes…of course, so the Rock could breathe and a nest. They were $3.95 each and each box contained “One Genuine Pedigreed” Pet Rock…A 32-page manual was included on how to take care of your special pet.
More than a million people bought Pet Rocks as Christmas gifts in 1975. Gary Dahl, of Los Gatos, California, had the idea while joking with friends about his easy-to-care-for pet, a rock.
This pet ate nothing and didn’t bark or chew the furniture. Pet Rocks were sold with a funny manual that included tips on how to handle an excited rock and how to teach it tricks. By 1976, Gary Dahl was a millionaire and Pet Rocks were the nation’s favorite pet.
Here is the first part of the manual. I will not list the 32 pages of care…at the bottom is a very short old news report on this novelty item. Kids today don’t know what they are missing…they have iPhones….we had Pet Rocks…
Item 1.
Your new rock is a very sensitive pet
and maybe slightly traumatized from
all the handling and shipping required
in bringing the two of you together.
While you may look in on your new
pet from time to time, it is essential
that you leave your rock in its box for
a few days. It is advised that you set
the box in an area of your home
that is to become your PET ROCK’S
“special place”. Some PET ROCK
owners have found that the ticking of
an alarm clock placed near the box
has a soothing effect; especially at
night.
It takes most PET ROCKS exactly
three days to acclimate themselves to
their new surroundings. After seventy-two
hours have passed you may remove
the rock from its box and begin
enjoying your new pet.
Gary Dahl and the Pet Rock
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pet_Rock
I have always thought if I could only come up with some stupid idea that would take off- I wish I had invented the hacky sack.. I bet the inventor is right now lying on a beach in the south of France laughing. The Pet Rock.. incredible.
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I mean how did this take off? I havent seen one at a yard sale or anywhere…or yes…I would end up getting it so what am I talking about…
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I remember my sister had a pet rock. I can remember just shaking my head and laughing. Some of these things- the idea and the moment seem to be just perfect for it to take off.
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Yes timing is everything. The guy made a fortune…the box is the only thing that really cost him. The rocks from Mexico he got for 1 cent each.
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I haven’t looked, but I wonder what one fetches these days on e-bay if anyone kept them with the box and manual?
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Yes they are out there… I forgot the price but more than 3.95 I know that… thanks for the inspiration in this.
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neat memories of a long gone time!
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Yes it is…I stumbled on something else…it’s coming tomorrow. A little more useful than a Pet Rock but a fun thing.
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I never was stupid enough to buy one.
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Oh I would now if I find one
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Yes, In a yard sale.
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I wonder if anyone has done replica pet rocks… y’know…. take a rock off a beach, make up a lookalike box, and sold it as an original… how would anyone know? Hahahah!
And then later, people started painting them with dotted mandalas, et al… poor little rocks. 😉
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I have an original box and the rock lol…I really do. I got it off Ebay…I couldn’t help myself. It’s a cardboard box.
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Hahah! I can imagine that. 🙂
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