# Pet Rock
Type: Trivia Card | Deck: Daft Inventions | Rarity: Common
URL: https://gamifeye.com/trivia/daft-inventions/pet-rock

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# Pet Rock
Type: Trivia Card | Deck: Daft Inventions | Rarity: Common

Novelty product created by advertising executive Gary Dahl in 1975 as a joke about low-maintenance pets. Ordinary rocks sold in pet carrier packaging with humorous 32-page training manual. Became massive six-month fad during 1975 Christmas season before market saturation ended sales by February 1976.

Key facts:
- Rocks purchased from Mexican builder's supply for ~$0.01 each, sold at $3.95 retail
- Sold over 1.5 million units in six months, making Dahl a millionaire
- Packaging included cardboard pet carrier with breathing holes, straw bedding
- Training manual featured deadpan humor with commands like "sit," "stay," "attack," and housebreaking instructions
- Dahl never trademarked the concept; knockoffs proliferated
- Featured on "The Tonight Show," accelerating national popularity

## Trivia Questions

Q1: What inspired Gary Dahl to create the Pet Rock concept in 1975?
A: He was a geologist who wanted to share his love of rocks

Q2: How much did Gary Dahl pay for each rock before packaging and selling them?
A: About a penny each

Q3: What made the Pet Rock packaging particularly clever and humorous?
A: Each rock was painted with a cute face

Q4: Why did the Pet Rock fad end so quickly by February 1976?
A: Gary Dahl stopped production due to legal issues

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Part of: [Daft Inventions](/trivia/daft-inventions) trivia deck
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