Unusual inventions - The Pet Rock...
by Startacus Admin
Not every idea or invention, changes the World, but when Gary Dahl, an Advertising Executive from the US, invented the concept of the Pet Rock, he created a fad, that became the 1970’s equivalent of the Digital Pet Tamagotchi, and changed his fortunes forever...
The story goes that Gary Dahl was sitting in a bar with his friends, complaining about their household pets (as you do). Gary in that moment, had an epiphany, deciding that a Rock would be the perfect pet to have, as you would not need to feed, clean, walk...a Pet Rock. One wonders if Gary was stoned himself, but fast forward 6 months, the Pet Rock had become a phenomenon, and although, like all fads, they generally die a quick death, this pet project, ended up selling around 1.5 million units.
The Pet Rock sold with a tongue-in-cheek 32 page manual and although the styling was simplistic, the brand as you can see, stands out and works. You can imagine Gary Dahl on Dragons Den, they would have had a field day!
A lesson for all of us perhaps, that your idea, however stupid, wacky or unconventional it may seem, could do a Gary Dahl, and net yourself a small fortune. Even if others don’t take your idea seriously, the general public may do so...so we say, arise Sir Gary Dahl, the inventor of the Pet Rock!
Now in its 5th year, the NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards acknowledges is open for applications for its 2017 programme.
Applications close on June 30th to apply to be highlighted in this years Small Business 100, as part of Small Business Saturday 2017...
We consider what the UK and Ireland edition of Mashable on Snapchat Discover might mean for digital content, publishers and startups.
The mobile ordering app that'll help us all save time getting coffee and lunch!
TableCrowd, a real-life business network that brings people together over food and drink is now crowdfunding via Crowdcube for £400k.
Making Tax Digital (MTD) is set to bring about the biggest change to the UK’s tax system for a generation. Here are four things you need to know.
Award winning social prescribing platform Elemental Software has raised a rather healthy £300k with the help of ClearlySo, Europe’s leading impact investment bank.
Startacus is supporting the TheBigGive.org.uk fundraising appeal to support those affected by the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
We take a look at pioneering HealthTech startup OurPath who recently closed a £500k fundraising round and secured a NHS commission to pilot the company's tech.
Forget play - with this deck of cards it's all about business...
Published on: 16th July 2012
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.
- Match Funding Initiative Means Donations Towards Grenfell Tower Tragedy can be Doubled 19th Jun 2017 Startacus is supporting the TheBigGive.org.uk fundraising appeal to support those affected by the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
- Touchpaper set to Light the Spark between Corporates and Startups 13th Jun 2017 Launched last week, Touchpaper is on a mission to make it much easier for startups and corporates to work together.
- Day 2 of Digital DNA upSTART 17 - the startup pitching battle 7th Jun 2017 Day 1 overview and day 2 preview of Digital DNA upSTART 17 - the startup pitching battle...
- It's day 1 of Digital DNA upSTART 17 - the startup pitching battle 4th Jun 2017 It's day 1 of upSTART 17, the two day startup pitching battle taking place at Digital DNA in Belfast. Here's how you can keep an eye on proceedings.
