History Of The Sleeved Blanket

The History of the sleeved Blanket Called Snuggie

It may be hard to believe that the Sleeved Blanket is 15 years old but didnt really breathe any commercial air for 10 years after its creation. One of the several versions of the blanket, creatively called the Slanket, has an interesting history which began with a need from a college student hung up on watching late-night TV.

BIRTHED IN COLLEGE

The Slanket was the brainstorm of University of Maine freshman Gary Clegg. A big fan of late night talk shows, Clegg became frustrated with trying to change channels while keeping himself wrapped up in his heavy blanket. He thought he had solved the problem by cutting a hole in the blanket to free his arms. But then, his arms became chilly. Now what? He and his roommate then came up with the idea of outfitting the blanket with sleeves. During the Christmas break from school, Clegg asked his mother to sew sleeves onto the blanket and the Slanket was born. It basically stayed a family thing until Clegg graduated. He then began making and giving them as gifts to his family. They in turn shared the creation with friends who wanted one of their own. Another idea light came on over Cleggs head. Can this thing become commercial? Can I make some money at it?

THE SLANKET GOES VIRAL

Though he didnt know it at the time, Clegg and his college pal had created a clothing Frankenstein. The pair hit the trade show circuit and the positive reaction literally blew their minds! They attracted the attention of a TV marketing firm called QVC which hurled the Slanket into millions of home and hopefully before eager buyes. Also watching QVC were the owners of

direct marketing giant AllStar products. They created their own version called the Snuggie and began aggressively marketing it through TV infomercials in 2008.(The word Snuggie, by the way, is a clever play on the word snuggle which subliminally suggests warm and cozy to potential buyers). Although the infomercials have been chided as hokey and stupid by detractors, the effects speak for themselves. Since the Snuggie went viral in 2008, more than 20 million have been sold. Clegg, meanwhile, was doing a slow burn as he helplessly watched a version of his creation raking in the $. Why didnt he sue? He found out through legal experts that his idea would be difficult to patent. So, it was fair game for copycats. Cleggs attitude, however, was that he fully expected competition and felt the best way to fight that was to make a better product ( critics of the Snuggie say it is made of cheap material which accounts for its bargain price. But being out the gate ahead of the Snuggie didnt hurt the Slanket. It grew some international legs and is marketed in 15 countries Clegg can also take some credit for creating the newest fad of the 21st century! Eager wearers have created clubs, broken world records by attending ball games wearing the creation .

AN IDEA WHOSE TIME HAD COME?

It is said that nothing can stop an idea whos time has come. This appears to be the case with the Sleeved blanket. Clegg, who was an journalism and history double-major at Maine, actually backed into his business just for solving a personal problem-he was cold. He had no real design on becoming what his label as the King of the Slanket Emplre. But as he related to an interviewer, the success of his creation is merely because it satisfies a basic human need. We like to feel safe and warm and comfortable. Its universal. That is the key to its success-it is universal; every human being on the planet likes those feelings. Its just a nice blanket that works; it s functionality is great. It solves a universal problem, and its fun, quirky and different.

Source of information-www.mainstreet.com/slideshow/small/secret-snuggies-success

by: Hal Lamar

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