Welcome to the fascinating world of Elmer’s glue! Many of us have memories of using this familiar white adhesive for everything from school projects to minor household repairs.
But have you ever wondered about the friendly cow that graces the label? What is it doing on a bottle of glue?
Let’s take a little trip down memory lane and unravel this bovine mystery, which is as interesting as the history of the glue itself.
Overview: The Mooing Points
- The origins of Elmer’s glue cow logo and its significance
- Fun and intriguing facts about Elmer’s glue
The Udderly Intriguing Story: Elmer’s Cow Logo
The adorable cow on the Elmer’s glue bottle has an interesting backstory. It goes back to 1947, when Borden, a dairy company, decided to enter the adhesive business.
They produced a glue made from casein, a protein found in milk, hence the introduction of a dairy cow on the label.
The cow’s name is Elsie, Borden’s famous mascot, which they had been using to sell dairy products. When Borden introduced a stronger, more durable glue, they decided to name it after Elsie’s fictional husband, Elmer.
That’s right, the cow on the Elmer’s glue bottle is actually Elsie, and the glue is named after her spouse, Elmer!
Sticky Trivia: Fun Facts About Elmer’s Glue
Elmer’s glue is more than just a childhood staple.
Here are a few fun facts you might not know:
- Elmer’s glue is now made from a synthetic polymer, PVA or polyvinyl acetate, and not from milk protein. They changed the formula in 1951.
- The iconic orange cap was introduced in 1954 and was a first in the industry.
- Despite the changes in formula, Elsie the cow stayed on the label as a nod to the glue’s history.
- Elmer’s Glue-All, the company’s first consumer glue, was launched in 1947, and the school glue, a washable and no-run formula, was introduced in 1968.
- Elmer’s was the first company to create a glue stick, changing the way we apply glue forever.
Conclusion: Sticking with Tradition
In conclusion, Elmer’s glue with its bovine emblem is a prime example of how brands often hold on to historical elements as a nod to their origin story.
Elsie the cow, originally a symbol of the milk-based formula, remains a beloved fixture on Elmer’s glue bottles, reminding us of its dairy roots even after the transition to synthetic polymers.
So, the next time you pick up a bottle of Elmer’s glue, remember you’re not just holding an adhesive, but a product with a rich and intriguing history.
