Whatever happened to …

… pet rocks?

Just to set the record straight, I never had one.

I do remember going into shopping malls and there were all kinds of them for sale in the 1970s though. Why this topic? We were out with friends the other night and the topic of discussion turned to dumb things. Naturally, this came up.

Pet Rocks were really a good example of merchandising though. There wasn’t just one kind; check out Google’s collection.

I recall studying it in a business class at university. The concept was created by Gary Dahl and it made him a millionaire. Our inspiration from the professor was to go forth and create the next “pet rock” as a project. Of course, it had to come with a business plan that includes financial predictions and a plan for marketing it to the masses.

Sadly, I don’t recall anything truly innovative coming from that. If I remember correctly, most of the ideas were really permutations on the pet rock concept. I remember our group created the concept of a self-renewing newspaper. The idea was that you didn’t have to subscribe or go to the corner store. You’d just pick up your newspaper and somehow the latest stories were there. It probably was a money maker but then that internet thing came along…

So, for a Sunday, your thoughts.

• Between you, me, and the lamppost, did you ever own a pet rock?
• Did you ever secretly want to?
• Do you think the people that actually purchased one realized what the idea they were supporting and that Mr. Dahl was getting rich? 🤑
• Have you ever had the next big money making idea but it never got off the ground? Care to share in case there’s an investor who is reading this post?
• Where do pet rocks go when they’ve had their time?
• An offspring of the concept has been tried here in Amherstburg. https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/painted-rocks-turning-up-all-over-amherstburg

How about taking a moment and sharing your thoughts on this life changing concept in the comments below?