Pez Dispenser History
Eduard Has III invented PEZ candy in 1927. Twenty years later, Oscar Uza designed the brand's first dispenser. As of 2010, collectors can purchase hundreds of PEZ dispensers featuring original and licensed characters.
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Company Origins
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PEZ-Haas, Inc. originally marketed mint and coffee-flavored PEZ to adults as an alternative to cigarettes. Oscar Uza modeled the original PEZ dispenser, called the Box Regular, on cigarette lighters.
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Character dispensers emerged in the 1950s, when low sales prompted PEZ-Haas, Inc. to reconsider its target audience. The company created a full-body robot, full-body Santa and space gun to dispense fruit-flavored PEZ to children.
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Dispenser Types
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In 1957, PEZ dispensers underwent a major design change: head-only character dispensers replaced full-body dispensers. In 1958, Popeye the Sailor Man became the first licensed cartoon character to adorn a PEZ dispenser. By the 1960s, decorated dispenser bases supported several well-known characters, including Mickey Mouse.
Time Frame
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The 1970s introduced interchangeable rubber character heads. The renamed PEZ Candy, Inc. added supportive rubber feet to dispenser bases in 1987. By 1991, the dispensers' popularity inspired the first collectors' convention. As of 2010, PEZ Candy, Inc. also offers miniature dispensers, plush-covered dispensers, and character sets housed in collectible tins.
Fun Fact
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Star Wars PEZ dispensers remain the company's best-selling licensed character dispensers.
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