Prompt Cast
The History and Collectibility of Pez Candy and Dispensers
TLDR This podcast episode explores the history of Pez candy, from its origins as a smoking cessation aid to its transformation into a beloved toy with the iconic Pez dispenser. The episode also delves into the collectibility of Pez dispensers, highlighting the story of Steve Gleeu, who made millions selling Pez dispensers from other countries before being driven out of business by a competitor.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
This podcast episode is about the history and experience of eating Pez candy.
04:47
The Pez company uses about 50,000 pounds of sugar every four days to make their candies, and it takes 3,000 pounds of pressure to compress the ingredients into the brick form.
09:28
Pez dispensers became popular in the late 80s and are now a huge collectible item, often associated with nostalgia.
13:41
Pez was originally marketed as a smoking cessation aid and breath freshener before the invention of the iconic Pez dispenser.
18:43
In the 1950s, Pez expanded to the United States and marketed their candy as a way to satisfy the oral fixation and desire to smoke for both adults and children, leading to the creation of the iconic Pez dispenser.
23:05
Pez expanded their candy flavors to include mint, orange, and cherry, but peach was never released in the US; they then transformed the candy from a cigarette lighter into a toy with a beloved cartoon character on it, making it more parent-friendly and appealing to kids.
27:23
Pez dispensers became collectible because they were reloadable and partnered with iconic brands, making them appealing to both kids and adults.
32:05
Pez dispensers have included a variety of characters and themes over the years, including a Bicentennial series, Halloween-themed ones, and even a Salvador Dali tribute.
36:34
A man named Steve Gleeu discovered he could make money by obtaining Pez dispensers from other countries and selling them to collectors, making millions of dollars in the process.
41:02
Steve Gleeu's downfall in the Pez business was due to overextending himself and being driven out of business by Mark McWinnie, who released Pez's own version of counterfeit dispensers at a lower price.
Categories:
Society & Culture
