By Nicole Smith
We all have some of our Grandma’s old cereal or spaghetti containers in our cabinets. Maybe even an old Mix-N-Stor or FridgeSmart. Tupperware is one kitchen brand that has definitely withstood the test of time.
In 1946, at the start of a revolutionary post-war period in history, Tupperware brand products made their debut.
For 75 years, Tupperware has seen us through a wide array of trends. From the suburban movement to the 60’s feminist revolution to ’90s “cocooning,” always adding a special organizational touch to the kitchens and lives across the nation.
Originally, inventor Earl Tupper’s plastic-like materials of many manufacturers were dedicated to the war effort. His first consumer plastic products were the Wonderlier Bowl and the Bell Tumbler. They each offered a unique benefit that traditional food containers did not… They were lighter and less likely to break than conventional glass and crockery.
The birth of the “Tupperized” kitchen, a neat and organized kitchen that featured a variety of containers that replaced unsightly open packages while also keeping food fresh longer, coincided with the onset of the post-war “baby boom.”
Tupper’s legendary airtight seal pattern was patterned after the inverted rim on a paint can. It prevented food from drying out, wilting, or losing its flavor in the refrigerator. Despite the breakthrough nature of his products, they didn’t sell very well in a retail setting. Consumers wanted demonstrations and needed to understand just how well these products actually worked.
Thus, the birth of the Home Tupperware Party.
The first home party was held in 1948. It introduced a completely new way for Tupperware products to reach consumers. The demonstrations proved to be an incredibly productive way of conveying the benefits of the revolutionary seal.
By 1951, Tupperware products were taken entirely off of the store shelves. The home demonstration system was working exceedingly well, and women welcomed the diversion.
The ’60s brought on a lot of changes and a lot of growing families. With the vast wave of baby boomers that had begun having children of their own, there was a need for stimulating, sturdy toys. Once again, Tupperware to the rescue. I’m sure all of us at some point in our childhood played with the Shape-O toy. It was and still is a fun yet educational toy that challenges each stage of a child’s development. I’m almost embarrassed to say that I didn’t realize it was Tupperware until I was nearly 30!
With microwaves becoming more popular in a home setting, Tupperware began introducing products for both the microwave and conventional ovens. Once it was fully accepted as a home kitchen appliance, products made exclusively for the microwave were introduced. Frozen foods were becoming more and more of a family staple, and Tupperware responded with the Microwave Reaheatables and TupperWave lines’ release.
With the ’80s came the introduction of the TupperWave Stack Cooker. A product designed to make a three-course meal for four in the microwave in 30 minutes. This product is still with us today, and I can personally attest to the fact that it does as it claims!
The Square-A-Way sandwich keeper, the Box Lunch, and the Lunch ‘N Bag sets met the needs of an increase in environmental awareness. These provided a positive alternative to disposable wrap and packaging.
To keep up with trends of the ’90s, which reflected a renewed emphasis on the home and traditional comforts such as home-cooked meals, Tupperware launched an expanded product line of contemporary-design kitchen tools made with the signature quality and ingenuity that had become expected of the Tupperware Brand. The Peeler Plus, the Coffee House Set, and the Double Colander combined traditional kitchenware with a ’90s sophisticated savvy.
With culturally distinct items such as the Kimchi Keeper, the Kimono Keeper, and the Japanese Bento Box being offered, Tupperware now reaches nearly 100 markets worldwide.
Consumers can continue to count on the same quality of Tupperware products representing exceptional design for everyday living. While home parties are still the most popular way to shop, with the Internet being an ever-growing method of purchasing everything from our clothes to our groceries, it is now easier than ever to acquire all of our favorite Tupperware!
Today’s Tupperware products continue to enhance lifestyles by offering innovative design, quality construction, and a lifetime warranty. With the ever-increasing concern for the environment, the growing popularity of meal preparation, and the never-ending need to save some time, I think we all could use a little bit more Tupperware in our life.
Watch an unboxing of BladenOnline’s Tupperware in their YouTube Cooking Series from last Thursday. BladenOnline publishes a new Cooking video every Thursday on our YouTube Channel. Tomorrow our team will publish a video celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with good food and fun.
About Author
