Stuff You Should Know SYSK Selects: How Pez Works
Oct 5, 2019
Discover the sweet origins of Pez, initially a mint for smokers, and its transformation into a childhood icon. Explore the quirky collecting culture surrounding Pez dispensers, including staggering auction prices and community dynamics. The hosts share amusing parenting anecdotes tied to Pez and delve into its unique design and marketing evolution. Plus, learn about the whimsical nostalgia it evokes and the surprising entrepreneurial journeys within the Pez market, including a dedicated museum!
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Royal Pez
- A Pez dispenser featuring William and Kate sold for $13,360 at a charity auction.
- The most expensive Pez dispenser ever sold was a 1982 World's Fair astronaut for $32,000.
eBay and Pez
- Ebay's founder, Pierre Omidyar, was inspired by his girlfriend's Pez collection.
- This led to the platform's creation, partially fueled by the demand for Pez.
Seinfeld's Pez
- A Tweety Bird Pez dispenser caused laughter at a piano recital on Seinfeld, outing Elaine.
- It also featured in a drug intervention, triggering nostalgia and a Pez addiction.