8 Neat Things You Didn't Know About Tupperware (2024)

And one thing we're sure you do remember: The glorious retro ads.

By Anna Zambelli
8 Neat Things You Didn't Know About Tupperware (1)

You use the classic containers for leftovers and organizing your fridge, but what do you really know about Tupperware? Ever since the brand emerged in the post-war era alongside refrigerators at home, Tupperware has been an extremely common household product. But they're much more than just plastic bowls and lids:

1

Tupperware was invented by Earl Tupper in 1938.

8 Neat Things You Didn't Know About Tupperware (2)

When Tupper's landscaping company went out of business during the Great Depression, he luckily found work in a plastics factory. Always the closet inventor, he bought a few of their molding machines and began tinkering at home. The first true commericial iteration of Tupperware came about after WWII, when DuPont asked him to explore peacetime uses for their plastic.

2

The lid design was inspired by a paint can.

8 Neat Things You Didn't Know About Tupperware (3)

This model achieved a partial vacuum seal, important for keeping food fresh.

3

Tupper's first product, the Wonderbowl, introduced the iconic "burp seal."

8 Neat Things You Didn't Know About Tupperware (4)

The original Tupperware was known for the burping sound it made when the lid would seal. This highly-advertised feature was widely recognized. How widely? Decades later, even Seinfeld comically referred to how the burp "locked in freshness."

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4

The products originally failed in stores.

8 Neat Things You Didn't Know About Tupperware (5)

Consumers didn't understand the design of the lids (a fact that baffles us now), so no one was buying Tupperware at the store. Enter: Tupperware parties.

5

The first Tupperware party was held in 1949 by a single mom in Detroit.

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Brownie Wise came to Tupper with the idea of holding events where people could show their friends how Tupperware worked. By 1951, the concept was so successful that Tupper decided to pull the product from stores and sell exclusively through parties.

6

The Guinness Book of World Records named Tupperware one of the greatest inventions of the 20th Century.

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The Rubik's Cube and the Walkman also made the list. (But computers didn't! Computers!)

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7

Today, across the globe, a Tupperware party is held every 1.4 seconds.

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Although you might think Tupperware parties went the way of the poodle skirt, they still occur worldwide and are the main outlet for selling Tupperware. Over 500,000 Tupperware parties are held each year in France alone.

8

It remains a billion-dollar industry.

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In 2014, Tupperware Brands Corp. made $2.61 billion in revenue. That's enough to make us consider throwing a Tupperware party ourselves.

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8 Neat Things You Didn't Know About Tupperware (10)

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8 Neat Things You Didn't Know About Tupperware (2024)

FAQs

8 Neat Things You Didn't Know About Tupperware? ›

TUPPERWARE GETS ITS NAME FROM CREATOR EARL TUPPER.

After business dried up with the Great Depression, Tupper landed a job at a plastics factory in Leominster, Massachusetts. The new gig inspired him to venture out on his own and mold the then-new material into beads and plastic cigarette containers.

Did you know Tupperware facts? ›

TUPPERWARE GETS ITS NAME FROM CREATOR EARL TUPPER.

After business dried up with the Great Depression, Tupper landed a job at a plastics factory in Leominster, Massachusetts. The new gig inspired him to venture out on his own and mold the then-new material into beads and plastic cigarette containers.

What is special about Tupperware? ›

Tupperware is a leading designer, manufacturer, and distributor of authentic, high-quality and ingeniously innovative products that people love and trust. Tupperware became the fabric of Americana and is now famous around the globe.

What is the first thing Tupperware sold? ›

Tupperware products are first debuted by chemist Earl S. Tupper in Massachusetts, including the still-iconic Wonderlier® Bowl.

Is 40 year old Tupperware safe to use? ›

Ziploc®-brand containers are quoted to have a 5-10 year lifespan, but a good rule of thumb is to assume all older Tupperware is not safe, especially if you don't remember how long you've had it.

What is the number 5 on Tupperware? ›

Most Tupperware is imprinted with the number five, representing polypropylene, generally a food safe plastic. Unfortunately, most hard plastics coded in the “five” category are not usually accepted through curbside recycling, but you can recycle your Tupperware this way.

Why is Tupperware called Tupperware? ›

Tupperware is named after Earl Tupper, a chemist in the 1940s who created lightweight, non-breakable plastic containers inspired by the seal-tight design of paint cans. The purpose was to help families save money on costly food waste in the post-war era.

What was old Tupperware called? ›

Wonderlier Bowl; introduced in 1946

With an 80 percent increase in home refrigeration in the 1940s, food storage proved to be the perfect application for Tupper's durable polymer.

What is the unique selling point of Tupperware? ›

Durability and Functionality: At the core of Tupperware's success lies its unwavering commitment to quality. Their products are designed to last for years, offering exceptional durability and functionality.

Why do people buy old Tupperware? ›

By buying vintage, you're practicing sustainability and reusing something from a different generation. Plus, Tupperware is one of those kitchen workhorses that still functions perfectly after decades of use.

What is the real name of Tupperware? ›

Earl Silas Tupper (July 28, 1907 – October 3, 1983) was an American businessman and inventor, best known as the inventor of Tupperware, an airtight plastic container for storing food, and for founding the related home products company that bears his name, Tupperware Plastics Company.

How do I tell how old my Tupperware is? ›

There are a few clues you might have vintage Tupperware:
  1. The brand name "Tupperware" is stamped onto the bottom of the container.
  2. There's a two-part number stamped onto the bottom of the item. ...
  3. Your item matches the shape and colors available at the time of creation in accordance with the lines released.

What company owns Tupperware? ›

It was founded in 1942 by Earl Tupper, who developed his first bell-shaped container and introduced the products to the public in 1946. Tupperware is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tupperware Brands. As of 2007, it was sold by approximately 1.9 million direct salespeople on contract.

When to throw out Tupperware? ›

While there is no set timeframe for replacing plastic food containers, experts say they should be tossed out when they show visible wear, chips, cracks, or signs of stains and odors.

Can you put boiling water in Tupperware? ›

Our food containers and beverage products are safe to use for pouring boiled water into them. Boiling water poured into our product cools very rapidly, and this should not damage or warp the container. Helpful?

Will Tupperware replace my old Tupperware? ›

LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY

In the event of a product's failure to meet the foregoing warranty, Tupperware, at its election, will either replace the affected product with a like or similar product or provide toward future purchases of Tupperware® brand products.

What is Tupperware real name? ›

Earl Silas Tupper (July 28, 1907 – October 3, 1983) was an American businessman and inventor, best known as the inventor of Tupperware, an airtight plastic container for storing food, and for founding the related home products company that bears his name, Tupperware Plastics Company.

Who is the famous Tupperware lady? ›

Brownie Wise was a self-made woman who revolutionized marketing tactics and had a knack for motivating others. She introduced the now popular household item, Tupperware, to the market.

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