A pet rock is a novelty toy and cultural phenomenon created in 1975 by advertising executive Gary Dahl. History and Origin • Creation: Gary Dahl invented the Pet Rock after joking with friends at a bar about how difficult traditional pets were to care for. • Packaging: He packed smooth stones sourced from Baja California beaches into custom cardboard carrying boxes complete with ventilation air holes and straw bedding. • The Manual: Each rock included a humorous 34-page instruction booklet satirizing pet care manuals, teaching owners how to command their rock to "sit," "stay," and "play dead". • Success & Revival: Dahl sold nearly 1.5 million Pet Rocks for about $4 each during its initial 1975 holiday craze, and the brand was later acquired by Super Impulse in 2022.