The Burp Party at Mama’s Treasures Earl S.Tupper began his career as a custom molder in Farnumsville, Massachusetts in
1938. In 1945 he produced his first polyethylene item which was a seven ounce tumbler.
News-Antique.com - Apr 28,2008 - Earl S.Tupper began his career as a custom molder in Farnumsville, Massachusetts in 1938. In 1945 he produced his first polyethylene item which was a seven ounce tumbler. He was a good merchant and a believer in advertising. He promoted these items as being
made of Poly-T instead of polyethylene to distinguish his product from others on the market. The American consumer always wanting something new were quick to take notice.
In 1947 he developed the Tupperware seal, commonly known as the Burp. By flexing the snug fitting lid, you could actually burp the bowl, remove excess air and create a more tight fitting seal. They were created in bright pastel colors and deemed indestructible. They were functional and attractive. In 1947, House Beautiful magazine devoted a whole page to the bowls along with a feature story calling them, “Fine Art for 39 cents.”
His marketing was right on the mark as he promoted an ordinary kitchen item as upscale. He proudly named the line, “The Millionaire Line.” His marketing in retail stores was short lived. Always one for innovation, he tried selling his line through the home party plan. He had gratifying results as it soon outsold retail store sales. By 1951 the operation had become a multi-million dollar business, and Tupperware Home Parties Incorporated was formed and retail sales stopped. In 1958 the company was acquired by the Rexall Drug and Chemical Company for an estimated $9 million dollars. If you’d like to know more about the history of plastics, I recommend “The Housewares Story,” Earl Lifshey, 1973, National Housewares Manufacturers Association.
Tupperware parties were a must have for every American homemaker. If you didn’t host one, you soon felt left out of your social circle. They were fun and you got to see all the
latest products up close in a relaxed atmosphere. Earl Tupper knew what his customer liked and he was a genius at giving it to them. The personal touch in a fun party fed right into every guests impulse buying gene and you were never disappointed in the product. The first Tupperware bowl I saw my mother bring home fascinated me. My brothers and I must have spent an hour doing nothing but burping that bowl over and over. I later came to appreciate it’s function and indestructibility. It lasted forever and then lasted some more. I finally threw some of mine away and now I could kick myself because all that old Tupperware has become one of the most sought after collectibles around. In recent years the price has soared on this product. The reason is very simple. It’s indestructible, colorful, and functional. You can find new products of this wonderful material in stores today, but it just doesn’t hold the same magic as the older brands.
At Mama’s Treasures we specialize in plastics of the 1940s through the 1980s. I am especially fond of Tupperware utensils and gadgets. We’re proud of the quality plastics
we carry and would like you to
