How the Pink Panther Became Owens Corning®’s Mascot

Ever wondered why a brand of building products, such as Owens Corning®, uses the Pink Panther as its mascot? Perhaps the only obvious connection you see between the two is the color of the cartoon character and Owens Corning’s patented insulation product. Well, the truth isn’t far from that.

In this article,  commercial roof repair expert  Larry Walty Roofing & Guttering Inc. shares how the Pink Panther came to be the mascot of Owens Corning.

A Brief History of Insulation Materials

Before diving into the origin of Owens Corning’s mascot, it might help to take a look at the beginnings of insulation as well.

In the 19th century, builders typically used hair from horse manes and tails and mixed this into the first brown coat of lime-based plaster. Paper, straw and rags were other materials used as thermal insulators during that time.

When central heating became popular in the early 20th century, cellulose fluff and brown paper made up the insulation in various homes. Then, “rock wool”, metallic fibers consisting of slag from iron refining, was developed.

It was in the 1930s when a new type of fiber insulation was introduced, thanks to a fortunate accident by Corning Glass researcher Dale Kleist. Kleist’s unsuccessful attempt at developing transparent, weatherproofed walls led to the creation of fiberglass.

Today, apart from fiberglass, you have other insulation types — such as styrofoam, cotton-based and soy-foam insulation — to choose from. Whether you’re constructing a new home or doing  roof repair , make sure to know your best options.

The Story of the Pink Panther

Fiberglass proved to be a versatile product. That’s why Corning Glass and Owens-Illinois banded together to establish a new company dedicated to producing fiberglass products.

Owens Corning used fiberglass to reinforce plastic, and the company spun the material into thread and wove it into cloth to make a light, puffy insulation. Soon, other fiberglass manufacturers emerged. And to set their products apart from those of their competitors, Owens Corning added red dye to the naturally tan or yellowish insulation.

This resulted in the bright pink color of their insulation product, which became a distinct and powerful marketing tool for the company. Later on, Owens Corning adopted the Pink Panther, which shared the same color with Fiberglas insulation, as its mascot.

Larry Walty Roofing & Guttering Inc. is one of the most reliable  commercial roofing contractors  in the area. Call us at (316) 779-2058 or fill out our  contact form  to request an estimate. We serve clients in Andover, KS, and surrounding areas.

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