1. Veg-O-Matic
The Veg-O-Matic was Ron Popeil’s undisputed breakthrough hit and a product that virtually invented the infomercial as a sales medium. Introduced in the 1960s, this simple, hand-powered kitchen tool quickly sliced and diced vegetables with an ease previously unheard of in home cooking. Its success was fueled by Popeil’s high-energy, non-stop television demonstrations, where he would rapidly turn an onion into neat, uniform pieces. Popeil’s masterful pitch, centered on the promise that it “slices, dices, and makes julienne fries,” convinced millions of Americans that they couldn’t live without it. The device itself was essentially a small, cylindrical holder with a plunger that pushed the vegetable through a sharp cutting grid. Its low price point, coupled with the convincing TV pitch, made it an impulse buy and a staple of the late-night television commercial block, setting the stage for every “As Seen on TV” product that followed.
2. Chop-O-Matic
The Chop-O-Matic was the original kitchen gadget that laid the entire foundation for the Ronco empire, though it was invented by Ron’s father, Samuel Popeil. Predating the Veg-O-Matic, the Chop-O-Matic used a simple but effective plunger mechanism to rapidly chop vegetables when the handle was pushed down. It was the first product that Ron Popeil took to department stores and later, to the burgeoning world of television sales, perfecting the high-pressure, non-stop demonstration style that became his trademark. While technically his father’s invention, Ron’s unique salesmanship turned this humble device into a genuine commercial sensation. It proved that a simple, mechanical kitchen tool, when combined with an irresistible presentation, could generate mass market appeal. The success of the Chop-O-Matic was a key early lesson for Ron: the pitch was often more important than the product itself.
3. Pocket Fisherman
Marketed as “the fishing invention of the century,” the Pocket Fisherman became one of the most culturally iconic Ronco products of the 1970s. This innovation, also originally created by Samuel Popeil, was a completely collapsible fishing rod and reel combo designed to fit easily into a glove compartment, tackle box, or, as the name suggested, a large pocket. Ron Popeil’s commercials showcased its portability and ease of use, positioning it as the perfect solution for spontaneous fishing trips or as a backup rod. While serious anglers often scoffed at its small size and limited casting ability, the product was an undeniable commercial hit, especially around holidays like Father’s Day. Its enduring fame is a testament to Popeil’s ability to market convenience and novelty, turning a practical but quirky gadget into a nostalgic piece of Americana.
4. Showtime Rotisserie & BBQ
For many, the Showtime Rotisserie & BBQ represents the pinnacle of Ron Popeil’s genius for combining function with an unforgettable catchphrase: “Set it and forget it!” Launched much later in Popeil’s career, this countertop rotisserie cooker became arguably his greatest financial success. It promised to deliver perfectly cooked, juicy rotisserie chicken and roasts right in the kitchen without the mess or effort of conventional cooking. The television pitch was simple yet compelling, showing the device’s ease of use, place the meat inside, set the timer, and walk away. This promise of effortless, restaurant-quality food struck a powerful chord with busy families in the late 1990s and early 2000s, generating over $1 billion in sales. The phrase “Set it and forget it!” transcended the product to become a permanent fixture in the American lexicon.
5. Mr. Microphone
One of Ronco’s most famous forays outside the kitchen was Mr. Microphone, a low-power, wireless microphone and transmitter. It allowed the user’s voice to be broadcast and heard over the radio of a nearby car or home stereo. The product is immortalized by its legendary television commercial, which featured teenagers in a car using the device to shout a corny but unforgettable line to two passing women: “Hey good lookin’, we’ll be back to pick you up later!” This single commercial cemented Mr. Microphone in pop culture history. While its practical application was limited and the broadcast range minimal, the product successfully tapped into a universal desire for fun and mischief. Its massive sales were driven purely by the power of an incredibly memorable, funny, and oft-quoted advertisement.
6. Inside-the-Shell Egg Scrambler
The Inside-the-Shell Egg Scrambler stands out as one of Popeil’s more bizarre and niche inventions. This unique device was designed to scramble the contents of an egg before it was cracked open, promising a uniform, yellow-colored egg that was perfectly mixed and ready for boiling or frying. The gadget used a thin needle to pierce the shell, followed by a rapid spinning motion to blend the yolk and white. The inherent oddity of the product, combined with the practical difficulty of ensuring the needle didn’t break or the egg didn’t leak, meant it never achieved the widespread success of his kitchen staples. Nevertheless, it remains a cult favorite among Popeil aficionados, proving his relentless willingness to attempt a gadget solution for every minor inconvenience, no matter how strange.
7. Popeil Pasta Maker
Long before home pasta machines became a common kitchen luxury, the Popeil Pasta Maker offered families a simple, affordable way to create fresh spaghetti, fettuccine, and other noodle shapes in their own homes. The hand-cranked machine allowed users to mix the dough and then force it through various shaping dies, with Ronco supplying recipe booklets to guide amateur chefs. Popeil shrewdly tapped into the growing appetite for healthier, homemade, and customizable food in the 1970s and 80s. The pitch emphasized the fun, family-friendly activity of making pasta together and the superior taste of fresh noodles. The product demonstrated Ron Popeil’s ability to identify a rising consumer trend (in this case, DIY food preparation) and make the specialized equipment accessible to the average home cook through an irresistible TV pitch.
8. Ronco Food Dehydrator
The Ronco Food Dehydrator was Popeil’s successful entry into the health and wellness market, capitalizing on the rising popularity of natural snacks and homemade preserves. This electrical appliance used low, steady heat to remove water from fruits, vegetables, and meats, allowing consumers to make everything from apple chips and fruit leather to beef jerky at home. The commercials positioned the dehydrator as an affordable, wholesome alternative to expensive, processed store-bought snacks. Ron Popeil’s genius here was his timing; he pitched this product right as the American public was becoming more aware of food additives and preservatives, framing the dehydrator as a tool for a more natural lifestyle. It was another example of Popeil taking a specialized piece of equipment and mass-marketing it as a simple, necessary convenience for the modern kitchen.
9. GLH-9 Spray-On Hair (“Great Looking Hair”)
Perhaps Popeil’s most sensational and controversial invention was GLH-9 (Great Looking Hair), an aerosol product designed to conceal balding spots and thinning hair. The spray contained fine, pigmented fibers that clung to existing hair shafts and the scalp, instantly creating the visual illusion of fuller, thicker hair. While the product was widely mocked and parodied in comedy sketches, sales were phenomenal. Popeil marketed GLH-9 not just as a cosmetic product, but as a source of regained confidence and a way to solve a deeply personal, often embarrassing problem. The sheer volume of sales proved that Ron Popeil could successfully sell a sensitive solution directly to consumers over the airwaves, offering hope (and a temporary cosmetic fix) to millions of late-night viewers.
10. Ronco Record Vacuum
The Ronco Record Vacuum was a product born from the audiophile craze of the vinyl record era. In the 1970s, keeping LPs clean was crucial to maintaining sound quality, as dust in the grooves could lead to annoying pops and skips. This gadget was marketed as a superior alternative to brushes and cloths, claiming to use gentle suction to remove micro-dust from the grooves of vinyl records without causing scratches. The television pitch appealed directly to the dedication of music lovers, suggesting that the vacuum was the only way to truly preserve their expensive record collections. Although many serious audiophiles remained skeptical of its effectiveness compared to wet cleaning methods, the product’s success is another example of Popeil identifying a small, specialized consumer need and turning it into a mass-market product through a persuasive demonstration.
11. Ronco Smokeless Ashtray
The Ronco Smokeless Ashtray was a clever attempt by Ron Popeil to address the growing social tension between smokers and non-smokers in the 1970s and 80s. This device was essentially an ashtray with a small, battery-powered fan and a charcoal filter built into the base. The design was intended to suck the smoke and odor down into the unit as it was produced. While the product’s effectiveness was often debated, it tapped directly into real, escalating public concerns about secondhand smoke and air quality in shared living spaces. Popeil pitched it as a diplomatic solution for households or offices with differing opinions on smoking. The product’s existence demonstrates Popeil’s keen eye for societal problems he could solve with a simple, marketable gadget, regardless of whether the solution was fully perfected.
12. The Buttoneer
The Buttoneer was Ron Popeil’s answer to the annoyance of a lost or loose button and a classic example of his focus on simplifying mundane household chores. This small, handheld device promised a needle-and-thread-free way to instantly attach buttons back onto clothing. It worked by using a squeeze mechanism to push a tiny plastic fastener (a ‘tack’) through the fabric and button. The television commercial showcased the Buttoneer as a magical, instant fix, suggesting that every family needed one for quick repairs. While it never fully replaced traditional sewing methods, it was perfectly pitched as a last-minute emergency solution for a traveler or a busy parent. The Buttoneer’s success was based on Popeil’s ability to sell speed and convenience over skill, making a seemingly complex task effortless.
13. Rhinestone Stud Setter
Tapping into the do-it-yourself (DIY) fashion and customization craze, the Rhinestone Stud Setter allowed users to easily and permanently affix decorative metal studs and rhinestones onto clothing, bags, and accessories. This gadget brought the power to personalize and glamorize plain items right into the hands of the consumer. It was a close precursor to the later, more famous Bedazzler, offering an affordable way to add sparkle and flair. Ron Popeil’s pitch, as always, emphasized the ease of use and the transformation from ‘plain’ to ‘fabulous,’ making the product a hit with teenagers and fashion-conscious individuals. This product illustrates Popeil’s versatility in marketing, he could sell practical kitchen tools one minute and fun, frivolous fashion accessories the next, provided the product offered an instant and dramatic result.
14. Ronco Bottle & Jar Cutter
In the spirit of the early environmental movement of the 1970s, the Ronco Bottle & Jar Cutter was pitched as an ingenious tool for home recycling and craft projects. The device allowed users to score and safely cut glass bottles (like wine and soda bottles) to turn them into new items, such as drinking glasses, vases, or lamps. The infomercials showcased a variety of creative, repurposed objects, framing the gadget as both eco-conscious and highly useful. While the process of cutting and sanding glass was often more challenging than the commercials suggested, the product was a success because it appealed to a consumer desire for resourcefulness and creativity. It was a perfect example of Popeil turning a niche crafting project into a mass-market gadget by promising a fun, simple, and ‘green’ transformation.
15. Dial-O-Matic Slicer
The Dial-O-Matic Slicer was a further refinement of Ron Popeil’s dedication to precise, fast food preparation, offering a step up in functionality from the Veg-O-Matic. This adjustable mandoline-style slicer allowed the user to select specific thickness settings with a simple dial. Popeil marketed it as a safer and quicker alternative to using kitchen knives, especially for quickly preparing salads, garnishes, or uniform slices of cheese. The emphasis in the pitch was on consistency and safety. Its simple, sturdy design ensured that it was one of Ronco’s most practical and long-lasting kitchen gadgets, appealing particularly to home cooks who valued presentation and speed. The Dial-O-Matic further solidified Popeil’s reputation as the king of kitchen convenience, selling the idea that professional-looking food prep didn’t require professional skill.
16. Ronco Automatic Shoeshine Kit
The Ronco Automatic Shoeshine Kit is one of Popeil’s lesser-known, yet perfectly representative, attempts to automate and simplify a routine household task. This battery-powered device was a handheld unit that came with various interchangeable brushes and pads for applying polish and buffing shoes to a high shine. While it never achieved the iconic status of the Veg-O-Matic, the product perfectly embodies Popeil’s constant drive to identify common, everyday chores that could be made faster and cleaner with a specialized gadget. The pitch focused on the mess-free and effortless process, positioning the kit as a necessary convenience for business people and anyone who valued a sharp, polished appearance without the traditional elbow grease.
From revolutionary kitchen gadgets that saved us time to hilarious, unforgettable novelty items that brought a smile to our faces, Ron Popeil truly left his mark on the American home. His genius wasn’t just in inventing things, but in showing us the perfect way to use them, creating a world where every problem had a simple, irresistible solution waiting for us, but wait, there’s more!
What was the Ronco gadget you or your family just couldn’t resist buying after seeing the pitch on TV?
