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Tupperware Parties: A Unique Way to Sell Food Storage Containers in the 1950s

In 1942, invent and designer Earl Silas Tupper invented the first Tupperware from a refined polyethylene version. He called his invention ‘Material of the Future’. Tupper believed that his labor-saving flexible and lightweight containers would significantly reduce the spills, odors in the refrigerators, and waste leftovers. He marketed his product as ‘Fine Art for 39 Cents’, but the American housewives remained unimpressed by his creation. Department stores and magazines promoted his product as the answer to the modern homemaker’s dreams, but the sales dwindled.

In the 1950s, a middle-aged single mother, Brownie Wise from Detroit, found a unique way to sell Tupperware products. She organized a Tupperware Party in her house where women gathered, and they bought the products. Wise also worked as a door-to-door salesperson to pay her young son’s medical bills. Earl Tupper was astonished by her idea and sales figures. He agreed to withdraw Tupperware products from department stores and retail outlets and focused on Tupperware parties, and they became the company’s only form of distribution. Wise was awarded the vice president’s position leading the newly formed Tupperware Home Parties Incorporated (THP). She began her amazing transition from housewife to leader of a multimillion-dollar enterprise, appearing in women’s magazines and business journals across the land.

Earl Tupper continued to expand his product range, inventing cocktail shakers, dishes, ketchup funnels, and cake domes and established several factories across the country. Brownie Wise recruited Tupperware dealers in droves, and she became the first woman to grace the front cover of Business Week with her adage, “If we build the people, they’ll build the business.”

#1 Passing round the product at an outdoor Tupperware. Hosts had a strict dress code – skirts and stockings were mandatory. 1955.

Passing round the product at an outdoor Tupperware. Hosts had a strict dress code – skirts and stockings were mandatory. 1955.

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Tupperware Parties: A Unique Way to Sell Food Storage Containers in the 1950s

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#2 Women attend a Tupperware party, hosted to market the new brand of plastic containers. 1955.

Women attend a Tupperware party, hosted to market the new brand of plastic containers. 1955.

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Tupperware Parties: A Unique Way to Sell Food Storage Containers in the 1950s

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#3 A suitably attired woman attends a Tupperware party. 1955.

A suitably attired woman attends a Tupperware party. 1955.

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Tupperware Parties: A Unique Way to Sell Food Storage Containers in the 1950s

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#4 A range of Tupperware-style pots for storing food, and a large basin.

A range of Tupperware-style pots for storing food, and a large basin.

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Tupperware Parties: A Unique Way to Sell Food Storage Containers in the 1950s

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#5 A Tupperware party in full swing. A table in the foreground displays a range of the company’s products. 1950s.

A Tupperware party in full swing. A table in the foreground displays a range of the company’s products. 1950s.

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Tupperware Parties: A Unique Way to Sell Food Storage Containers in the 1950s

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#6 A woman browses the catalogue at a Tupperware party. 1955.

A woman browses the catalogue at a Tupperware party. 1955.

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Tupperware Parties: A Unique Way to Sell Food Storage Containers in the 1950s

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#7 Wise, a single mom, could see how great Tupperware could be to have in the household and came up with the idea of a Tupperware party.

Wise, a single mom, could see how great Tupperware could be to have in the household and came up with the idea of a Tupperware party.

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Tupperware Parties: A Unique Way to Sell Food Storage Containers in the 1950s

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#8 To demonstrate Tupperware’s patented seal, Brownie Wise tosses a bowl filled with water at a party.

To demonstrate Tupperware’s patented seal, Brownie Wise tosses a bowl filled with water at a party.

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Tupperware Parties: A Unique Way to Sell Food Storage Containers in the 1950s

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#9 Brownie Wise and Earl Tupper, whose relationship ended in a flurry of lawsuits

Brownie Wise and Earl Tupper, whose relationship ended in a flurry of lawsuits

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Tupperware Parties: A Unique Way to Sell Food Storage Containers in the 1950s

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#10 Brownie Wise, the original “hun”.

Brownie Wise, the original “hun”.

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Tupperware Parties: A Unique Way to Sell Food Storage Containers in the 1950s

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#11 Tupperware home party in Sarasota, Florida. 1958.

Tupperware home party in Sarasota, Florida. 1958.

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Tupperware Parties: A Unique Way to Sell Food Storage Containers in the 1950s

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#12 The annual Tupperware Homecoming “Jubilee”. 1955.

The annual Tupperware Homecoming “Jubilee”. 1955.

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Tupperware Parties: A Unique Way to Sell Food Storage Containers in the 1950s

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#13 Tupperware advertising.

Tupperware advertising.

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Tupperware Parties: A Unique Way to Sell Food Storage Containers in the 1950s

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#14 Tupperware parties became widespread in the 1950s.

Tupperware parties became widespread in the 1950s.

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Tupperware Parties: A Unique Way to Sell Food Storage Containers in the 1950s

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#15 A Tupperware party.

A Tupperware party.

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Tupperware Parties: A Unique Way to Sell Food Storage Containers in the 1950s

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#16 Tupperware advertising.

Tupperware advertising.

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Tupperware Parties: A Unique Way to Sell Food Storage Containers in the 1950s

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#17 A Tupperware party.

A Tupperware party.

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Tupperware Parties: A Unique Way to Sell Food Storage Containers in the 1950s

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#18 “She is earning good money and having fun, too!”, Tupperware ad.

“She is earning good money and having fun, too!”, Tupperware ad.

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Tupperware Parties: A Unique Way to Sell Food Storage Containers in the 1950s

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#19 Tupperware Parties’ in the 50s and 60s were a way of marketing the product directly to women.

Tupperware Parties’ in the 50s and 60s were a way of marketing the product directly to women.

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Tupperware Parties: A Unique Way to Sell Food Storage Containers in the 1950s

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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