Created by Dale R. Botten & Sheldon Bergen
"The ultimate gift for the person who has everything."
Click on the Handbook for Nothing to browse through all 14 original pages.
In 1977, two Superior, Wisconsin disc jockeys—Dale R. Botten and Sheldon Bergen—hatched a satirical response to the Pet Rock craze: selling literally NOTHING™ for $3.95.
Housed inside an airtight, custom-molded cylindrical display case with viewing "portals," the product featured a pedestal holding absolute emptiness. It came complete with the satirical "Handbook for Nothing", detailing how "Nothing can help a hangover", "Nothing gets clothes cleaner", and "Nothing is better than sleeping alone."
The humorous invention swept national press, earning featured spreads in the Green Bay Press-Gazette, Duluth News-Tribune, The Journal Herald, and Antigo Daily Journal, alongside an appearance invitation from TV's Liars' Club.
The Gift for Everybody--Nothing
Much Ado About Nothing Headline Feature
Feature Story by Jim Heffernan
These Fellows Pushing Nothing, for Something
Bob Woessner Column Feature
D.L. Stewart Off The Beat Column (Nov 19, 1977)
Finally the Ultimate Gift - NOTHING Sales Sheet
Liars' Club TV Show Invitation Letter
With Nothing to do, They Started Nothing Feature
They Got Plenty of Nothing Front Page Feature
Novelty Stirs Much Ado & Nothing's for Sale
Two Have Hopes for Riches on Lots of 'Nothing'
Sheldon Bergen & Dale Botten Displaying Product
From 1970's viral novelty products to award-winning screenplays and novels, explore the creative portfolio of Dale R. Botten.
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