More than 300 million Silly Putty eggs have been sold since the product burst upon the toy scene in 1950. By 1960, it was a worldwide phenomenon.
Known to children for its fun attributes of stretching without breaking and bouncing higher than a rubber ball, Silly Putty is used by adults in more practical applications. Athletes use it to increase their hand strength, therapists recommend it as a stress reliever, and the Apollo 8 astronauts carried it into space with them to fasten down tools during the weightless period.
For stress relief with hand exercises, remove Silly Putty from the egg and warm for a few seconds in the palm of your hand.
- During the exercises focus on the feel of the putty and the movement of your hands to relax your mind.
- Using the palms of your hands, roll it into a ball. The putty will bounce if dropped so keep out of the reach of pets and small children.
- Squeeze the ball between your thumb and each finger, rotating between your right and left hands.
- Using both hands grip the Silly Putty between your thumb and forefinger and gently pull (be careful it can tear). Fold the stretched putty back together and stretch again.
Using Silly Putty to lift images from the comic pages in the newspaper was one of the most popular uses in the past. Today, many newspapers use a “cold” printing process and news inks that do not leave an impression on the Silly Putty but do not despair. Just pick up a pencil and draw your own words or pictures on paper and Silly Putty will lift off the pencil marks. Stretch your Silly Putty and you'll create a funny version of your drawings.
In 2000, Silly Putty was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in Salem, Oregon. The pink “solid liquid” still comes in an egg but with a new variety of colors that include glow-in-the-dark.
Take a trip down memory lane with Silly Putty. Reconnect with the joy of childhood and experience the fun of stress relief.
What else is great about Silly Putty?
