The Chia Pet was marketed and popularized by Joseph Pedott. Pedott first learned about "something called the Chia Pet" being imported from Oaxaca, Mexico when he attended a housewares show in Chicago in 1977. Negotiating the rights from importer Walter Houston, Pedott began marketing Chia Pets in the US.

Joseph Pedott, entrepreneur who made Chia Pets and the Clapper household names, dead at 91. CHICAGO (CBS) -- You may not recognize the Chicago native's name, but chances are you know the work of Joseph Pedott.

THE FIRST CHIA PET WAS ACTUALLY A CHIA HUMAN. The product that put Chia Pets on the map, however, was a ram-shaped planter released in 1982. Later, the company introduced kittens, puppies, frogs, pigs, and other shapes.

Yes, They're the Same Seeds from Chia Pets By 1982, the first commercially available Chia Pet was sold using the infamous time lapse ad campaigns. Blame Spanish Conquistadores for obscuring the health benefits of chia seeds.

It was sacred and used as a sacrifice in religious ceremonies. The ancient civilizations believed that the chia seed provided supernatural powers. In Mayan, “chia” means “strength.” This probably has to do with the large amounts of energy provided by chia seeds.

CHIA PET SEEDS ARE EDIBLE (BUT YOU STILL SHOULDN'T EAT THEM). Chia seeds aren't just for growing - they're also for eating. In recent years, health buffs have anointed the small, crunchy seeds as a new “super food,” as they're packed with omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, protein, and fiber.

So can I eat this can I just really. First came out when we were kids nobody was eating chia seeds. Everybody was like what is chia.

China Originally made in Mexico, Chia Pets are now produced in China. A range of generic animals has been produced, including a turtle, pig, puppy, kitten, frog, and hippopotamus. Cartoon characters have also been licensed, including Garfield, Scooby-Doo, Looney Tunes, Shrek, The Simpsons, and SpongeBob.

Chia seeds may be small, but they're incredibly rich in nutrients. A staple in the ancient Aztec and Maya diets, these seeds have been touted for their health benefits for centuries. The nutrients in chia seeds may promote heart health, support strong bones, and improve blood sugar management ( 1 ).

The plant is native to Mexico and Guatemala, where it was an important crop for pre-Columbian Aztecs and other Mesoamerican Indian cultures.

terra cotta clay When you think about it, a chia pet is a figurine made out of terra cotta clay (the same as most flower pots) and is covered with chia seeds that you sprout into hair or fur.

Chia seeds are small round seeds, and can be black, brown and white in color. They are harvested from a flowering plant in the mint family known as Salvia hispanica. It's native to parts of Mexico and Guatemala.