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.

The first Chia Pets were Chia Bull and Chia Ram, though there was technically a Chia Guy, too. And while the Chia animals were - and still are - popular, in 1982, Hirsch says the company began licensing figures beginning with three iconic Looney Tunes characters: Tweety, Taz (Tasmanian Devil) and Elmer Fudd.

The very first Chia pet ever sold wasn't actually an animal - it was a human. “Chia Guy,” a terracotta sculpture of a man's head, was created in 1977; it looked kind of like a mix between Homer Simpson and Woody from Toy Story (1995), with sprouts for hair.

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.

And your favorite painter Bob Ross Chia fantastic just spread the seeds water. And watch it grow.

Chia seeds come from the desert plant Salvia hispanica, a member of the mint family. Salvia hispanica seed often is sold under its common name "chia" as well as several trademarked names. Its origin is believed to be in Central America where the seed was a staple in the ancient Aztec diet.

Salvia hispanica L., also known as chia, is an annual herbaceous plant, originally from Southern Mexico and Northern Guatemala. It belongs to the order Lamiales, mint family Labiate, subfamily Nepetoideae, and genus Salvia.

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.

Central America Its origin is believed to be in Central America where the seed was a staple in the ancient Aztec diet. The seeds of a related plant, Salvia columbariae (golden chia), were used primarily by Native Americans in the southwestern United States. Chia seeds have gained attention as an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acid.

The “Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia!” jingle is known across generations, and more than 25 million Chia Pets have been sold to date. Chia Pets are even in the Smithsonian! Learn more about the history of this unique, American icon below.

Chia Pets, terracotta figurines that sprout chia seeds like hair, have stayed popular since their widespread launch back in 1981. That's largely thanks to the marketing acumen of the man behind their success, Joseph Pedott.

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 ).

What is a Chia Pet you say? It was originally a terracotta figure with grooves on which Chia (Salvinia hispanica) seeds were spread to grow. It originated in the United States and is still popular there.

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

They're easy to digest, reduce inflammation, regulate cholesterol, lower blood pressure (great for heart health!), aid in weight loss, reduce insulin resistance, regulate blood sugar, reduce signs of aging, increase energy levels, benefits hair/skin/nails, aid in detoxification, and MORE!

The word chia is derived from the Nahuatl word chian, meaning 'oily'. Other plants known as chia include Salvia columbariae, which is sometimes called "golden chia"., Salvia polystachya, and Salvia tiliifolia.