It was invented in the 1960s by South African George Montague Pratley, with the assistance of chemist Frank Robinson.
[2] According to the manufacturer's official history, "The product was developed as an insulator and also as an adhesive agent for fixing brass terminals which were located inside cast iron junction boxes".
As time went by, many other uses were found for the putty, which enabled it to penetrate both the consumer, industrial, and mining markets.
In South Africa, the holes in two partially sunken ships were repaired with Pratley Putty, which can also cure under water.
Other products produced are epoxy, acrylic, cyanoacrylate, silicone, anaerobic and proprietary hybrid adhesives.