In 1975, the Pet Rock was born. The egg-shaped, smooth stone came nestled in hay, accompanied by an instruction manual, and encased within a small cardboard box (see Figure 11-1). For $3.95, you could own one too. Although the Pet Rock started as a joke, it demonstrates why some products succeed and others fail.
Figure 11-1.
Artist’s rendering of the Pet Rock with its accompanying straw bed
The Pet Rock’s inventor, Gary Dahl, knew it served no practical purpose other than humorous, ...
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