Stuff You Missed in History Class Inventions for Pets
Nov 19, 2025
Discover how kitty litter sparked the pet products industry and hear the fascinating story of Ed Lowe's invention. The podcast dives into the early market growth, innovative pet products, and environmental concerns surrounding clay litter. Learn about the quirky origins of the cat tree and Alan Simon's ingenious transformation of hospital pads into wee-wee pads for dogs. It's a journey through the evolution of pet care items, touching on both consumer needs and the impact on the environment.
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Accidental Origin Of Kitty Litter
- Ed Lowe discovered kitty litter after a neighbor asked for a better cat-box filler and he tried granulated clay from his family's supply.
- He bagged ten sacks, labeled them "kitty litter," and those first customers launched his new business.
Kitty Litter Kickstarted A New Industry
- Kitty litter turned a niche convenience into a mass consumer product and helped spawn the modern pet-products industry.
- By the mid-1950s litter was in supermarkets and shifted many households toward indoor cat ownership.
Empey The Product-Testing Cat
- Ed Lowe used a cattery and a resident cat named Empey to test new products like toys and scratching posts.
- Empey's approval influenced which items Lowe moved into production.