The NaugaThe Nauga was created in the 1960s as part of a marketing campaign for Naugahyde, a synthetic vinyl fabric developed right here in Naugatuck at the U.S. Rubber Company plant (later Uniroyal). While Naugahyde had been around since 1914 and officially trademarked in 1936, it was the ad campaign by George Lois in the 1960s that launched Naugahyde to new heights of popularity.
Lois introduced the world to the Nauga, a fictional creature that sheds its 'hyde' without harm, providing the cruelty-free material known as Naugahyde.
Decades later, these Nauga dolls have become prized collector’s items, symbolizing a unique piece of Naugatuck’s history and a marketing success story.
Original ads in LIFE Magazine in 1967.
Resources
"The Nauga is ugly, but his vinyl hide is beautiful." LIFE Magazine, September 1, 1967, 34–35. Retrieved from Google Books https://books.google.com/books?id=UFYEAAAAMBAJ&q=Nauga&source=gbs_word_cloud_r&cad=3#v=snippet&q=Nauga&f=false
"The Indestructible Nauga." LIFE Magazine, September 15, 1967, 50. Retrieved from Google Books https://books.google.com/books?id=WlYEAAAAMBAJ&q=Nauga&dq=Nauga&source=gbs_word_cloud_r&cad=3#v=onepage&q&f=false
"The Great Imposter." LIFE Magazine, October 6, 1967, 102. Retrieved from Google Books https://books.google.com/books?id=2UwEAAAAMBAJ&q=Nauga&num=10&source=gbs_word_cloud_r&cad=3#v=onepage&q&f=false
"Invite a Nauga to your next party." LIFE Magazine, November 3, 1967, 74. Retrieved from Google Books https://books.google.com/books?id=VUkEAAAAMBAJ&q=Nauga&dq=Nauga&source=gbs_word_cloud_r&cad=3#v=onepage&q&f=false
"Heard the one about the traveling Nauga?" LIFE Magazine, November 17, 1967, 25. Retrieved from Google Books https://books.google.com/books?id=bEkEAAAAMBAJ&q=Nauga&num=10&source=gbs_word_cloud_r&cad=3#v=onepage&q&f=false
Other Museums and Archives Featuring The Nauga
The museum holds several items related to the Nauga, highlighting its connection to Uniroyal and mid-century pop culture.
Collection Items Include:
Life Magazine, Bound Volume (October-December 1967)
Life Magazine, Bound Volume (July-September 1967)
Uniroyal "Nauga" Toy – Produced between 1955 and 1975, representing the playful marketing campaign behind Naugahyde, Uniroyal’s synthetic leather product.
The Nauga doll is featured as part of their exhibit exploring iconic toys from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s.
Collection items include toys such as the Uniroyal "Nauga" doll, known for its playful connection to Naugahyde, a synthetic leather product.
Life Magazine volumes from 1967, showcasing cultural moments during the Nauga's heyday, are also part of the collection.
Uniroyal Archive – A Nauga Story
The Uniroyal archive shares the playful, fictional history of Naugas™ and their association with Naugahyde®, "The Cruelty Free Fabric™".
This narrative explores whimsical aspects of Nauga culture, including their culinary preferences, traditions, and sports involvement. The Nauga story highlights their role in various industries, from fashion to automotive seating, emphasizing their importance in marketing campaigns and product branding.
The Nauga Nostalgia
Garfield Comic Strip by Jim Davis – June 22, 1981
In this comic, Garfield asks, “Do you know how many Naugas they killed to make this leash?” This line plays on the fictional creature “Nauga,” invented as part of the marketing campaign for Naugahyde, a synthetic leather created by Uniroyal.
The comic reflects how the Nauga became part of pop culture, blending humor with product references.
We officially sold our last Nauga doll made from the original authentic Naugahyde at the Harvest Moon Festival on September 20, 2024. Unfortunately, no new Naugas are being made or sold, but we remain hopeful that we can offer them again.
Although, we are excited to offer signed copies of Connecticut Cryptids. Chapter 7 is all about The Nauga. These books are available for purchase in our museum store—grab your copy and explore the legend of the Nauga!