Already US$12,000 in debt, Hodgson borrowed $147 to buy a batch of the putty to pack portions into plastic eggs for $1, calling it Silly Putty. Initial sales were poor, but after a New Yorker article mentioned it, Hodgson sold over 250,000 eggs of silly putty in three days. However, Hodgson was almost put out of business in 1951 by the Korean War. Silicone, the main ingredient in silly putty, was put on ration, harming his business. A year later, the restriction on silicone was lifted and the production of Silly Putty resumed. Initially, it was primarily targeted towards adults. However, by 1955, the majority of its customers were aged six to twelve. In 1957, Hodgson produced the first televised commercial for Silly Putty, which aired during the Howdy Doody Show.
Already US$12000 in debt Hodgson borrowed $147 to buy a batch of the putty to pack portions into plastic eggs for $1 calling it Silly Putty Initial sales were poor but after a New Yorker article mentioned it Hodgson sold over 250000 eggs of silly putty in three days However Hodgson was almost put out of business in 1951 by the Korean War Silicone the main ingredient in silly putty was put on ration harming his business A year later the restriction on silicone was lifted and the production of Silly Putty resumed Initially it was primarily targeted towards adults However by 1955 the majority of its customers were aged six to twelve In 1957 Hodgson produced the first televised commercial for Silly Putty which aired during the Howdy Doody Show