If I ever manage to get my hands on an iPhone, I can tell you one place it’s not going: the blender. I’ll protect my baby in a sturdy rubber or plastic case, handle with care, and, no, not blend it. But Will It Blend? — one of the most successful viral online marketing campaigns in recent history — took the opposite approach. And guess what? It blended.

Featuring destructive antics aplenty, Will It Blend? might seem like a “From the people who brought you Jackass…” sort of venture, but its roots are surprisingly corporate: The project belongs to Blendtec, a blender manufacturer eager to show off just how many items their products can eviscerate. (After all, if Blendtec can obliterate an iPhone 4, it can probably tackle that strawberry-banana smoothie you’ve been craving.)

Will It Blend? features a variety of entertaining videos, from Apple products (even the iPad!), GPS units, and tire repair kits to more edible options like avocados and coffee beans — the latter vids are filed under an encouraging “Try This @ Home” label.

This, my friends, is viral business marketing at its best. The thrill of watching electronics and similar get blended is downright irresistible, inspiring WillItBlend.com visitors to share the videos with their friends, not to mention recreate (safe) versions of the videos at home. Word of Will It Blend? spreads like a virus, offering Blendtec some valuable publicity.