“And because you can see what’s inside,” a 1950s television ad for Tupperware pitched, “no more forgotten leftovers.” Inspired by the seal of paint-can lids, Tupper used by-products from the oil refining industry to create his first airtight plastic container, later branded as Tupperware, in 1938. His Tupperware Plastics Company developed a line of plastic homeware that was mainly sold at Tupperware House Parties, an innovative sales strategy developed by American businesswoman Brownie Wise. Made of clear or colored plastic in varying transparencies, Tupperware promised consumers extended freshness and provided a glimpse of the food these containers helped preserve.

Gallery label from

2023

Manufacturer Tupper Corporation, Farnumsville, MA
Medium Polyethylene
Dimensions overall: 5 1/8 x 7 3/8" (13 x 18.7 cm) .1a (container): 4 7/8 x 6 7/8" (12.4 x 17.5 cm) .1b (lid): 1/4 x 7 3/8" (0.6 x 18.7 cm) .2 (overall): 4 3/4 x 6 3/8" (12.1 x 16.2 cm) .2a (container): 4 1/2 x 6 1/8" (11.4 x 15.6 cm) .2b (lid): 1/4 x 6 3/8" (0.6 x 16.2 cm) .3 (overall): 4 x 5 1/2" (10.2 x 14 cm)
Credit Gift of the manufacturer
Object number 172.1948.1-3
Department Architecture & Design

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