Joseph Pedott, the man behind the Chia Pet and Clapper brands, died last week at the age of 91, the New York Daily News reports.
Pedott was a businessman who was "always 'fair and honest,'" one of his longtime colleagues says.
The Chia Pet was a money-losing product when Pedott came up with the idea for a plant that grew out of its seeds in the early 1950s.
The Clapper, meanwhile, was a light-switch that automatically turned off appliances when plugged in.
Both products are archived in the Smithsonian and are included in the New York Times time capsule to be opened in the year 3000.
Pedott's other hit product was the Clapper, first sold in 1985.
And like the Chia Pet, it was made memorable through catchy TV commercials.
The Clapper hashtag has more than 491 million views on TikTok.
"It's fun and easy.Soak your Chia, spread the seeds, keep it watered, and watch it grow," says the Chia Pet jingle.
A customized collection of grant news from foundations and the federal government from around the Web.
In the world of social enterprises, failure is a cringe-worthy moment nobody wants to talk about. But, social entrepreneurs can benefit from their failures.