Tupperware products are offered for sale at a retail store on April 10, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois.

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Tupperware products are offered for sale at a retail store on April 10, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois.

Scott Olson/Getty Images

Tupperware is the stealthy star of our modern homes. These plastic storage containers are ubiquitous in our fridges, pantries, and closets. But the original product was revolutionary. So was its breakthrough sales strategy: the Tupperware Party.

Led in part by a charismatic housewife turned business innovator, Tupperware pioneered more than the party. Brownie Wise, and the company she came to represent, are behind a core sales technique that we might now recognize as influencer marketing.

The company was so successful at its peak, it reached almost cult status. But it didn’t last.

On our latest episode: Tupperware’s success and the company’s demise. And how its descendants — in products, and in sales strategies — lived on.

This episode is in partnership with Decoder Ring. For even more on the legacy of Tupperware, listen to their full episode.

The original Decoder Ring episode was reported and produced by Olivia Bryly. Decoder Ring is also produced by Willa Paskin, Evan Chang, Max Friedman, and Katie Shepard. Derek John was executive producer. Merreck Jacob is their senior technical director. The Planet Money edition of this episode was produced by Willa Rubin and edited by our executive producer Alex Goldmark.

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