The Indicator from Planet Money The Economics of Everyday Things: Pizza (Box) Time!
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Nov 17, 2024 
Zachary Crockett, host of The Economics of Everyday Things podcast, dives into the surprisingly rich world of pizza boxes. He shares a personal story from Israel that sparked his interest in their unique designs and cultural significance. The conversation uncovers the clever evolution of pizza box engineering and its impact on delivery. Innovations in assembly efficiency emerge as crucial for small pizzerias. Finally, he humorously explores the niche world of pizza box collecting, highlighting the hidden economics behind this quirky hobby.
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Pizza Box Origin Story
- Scott Wiener's pizza box obsession began in Israel, where he saw a unique yellow and orange box.
- This sparked his collection, now the world's largest, with over 1,800 boxes, even one from Antarctica.
Pizza Box Demand
- Americans consume large amounts of pizza annually, mostly delivered or carried out.
- This necessitates carefully engineered boxes to maintain pizza quality during transport.
Pizza Box Evolution
- Early pizza transport involved copper containers (stufas) and paper bags.
- The modern pizza box emerged mid-20th century with the rise of pizza as a party food.