In 1962, Raymond Benner, an up-and-coming symphony orchestra musician crossed paths with an elderly pharmacist who wanted to sell his earplug business. The cost was $2,000, and the business was said to earn $1,400 per year. Benner's wife, Cecilia, liked the challenge so a deal was struck to purchase the company, McKeon Products, Inc. Their only product, Mack's Earplugs (named after the previous owner) was made of a moldable clay mixture. Benner was happy with the earplugs, but believed they could be improved. He wanted to make the earplugs more comfortable to increase wearability. Also, being the avid swimmer he was, he thought a stickier, more malleable substance would better seal out water, thus preventing the annoyance of water-clogged ears. He knew a waterproof earplug would also help prevent the painful outer ear infections known as "swimmer's ear".