Mr. Varitably Clean

Mr. Clean is a brand name and mascot owned by Procter & Gamble since 1958, after purchasing the formula from Linwood Burton. The original all-purpose cleaner was formulated by Burton, a marine ship cleaning businessman in the United States. He named it “Mr. Clean” based on a bald United States Navy sailor. Though to many, he seemed just as much a genie with his earring, folded arms, and tendency to appear magically at the appropriate time. Mr. Clean made his television commercial debut that same year. He was initially portrayed in live-action versions by B-movie and television character actor, House Peters Jr. Within six months of its debut, it was one of the best-selling cleansers on the market.

The Mr. Clean mascot was conceived in 1957 by Harry Barnhart and Ernie Allen, employees of Chicago's Tatham-Laird & Kudner advertising agency's art department. Mr. Clean's theme song, or jingle, has been around since the product's introduction and is the longest-running advertising jingle in television history. It was written by Thomas Scott Cadden, a pioneering television commercial producer, director, writer, and songwriter from the 1950s to the 1970s. 

Note: Most people assumed Mr. Clean ever needed a first name. In 1963, a Procter & Gamble marketing ploy promoted a “Give Mr. Clean a Name” contest with the odd name of "Veritably" as the winning name. I was a short-term gimmick, I suspect, as the "Mr. Varitably Clean" name is apparently no longer used. Or was it "Veritably Mr. Clean"? Getting rid of that first name is another good use for its Magic Eraser pads.