PEZ is a candy brand known for its small rectangular candies and character head dispensers. Invented in 1927 by Austrian confectioner Eduard Haas, the brand name comes from the German word for peppermint. Initially marketed to smokers, the company expanded to target children and has produced around 300 different dispensers throughout its history. PEZ is available in over 60 countries worldwide.
PEZ is the name of a candy brand. PEZs are small, rectangular candies made with flavors like peppermint, chocolate, cola, and mixed fruit. PEZ is probably best known for their specially designed dispensers that hold the candy and feature a character head on top. When the character’s head is tilted back, a piece of candy is slightly removed, making it easier for the user to get a piece of candy out.
PEZ was invented by an Austrian confectioner named Eduard Haas in 1927. He sought to create a peppermint candy, which was unheard of at the time, that he could market to adults. The PEZ brand comes from the German word for peppermint, pfefferminz. Haas took the first, middle and last letters from pfefferminz and coined the brand name PEZ.
In an effort to broaden the appeal of PEZ candy, Haas decided to target smokers and those trying to quit smoking. He believed peppermints would be a perfect breath for smokers, and could even be an alternative for smokers trying to quit, but still wanting to put something in their mouth.
In its quest to reach smokers, the company developed a new dispenser that resembled a cigarette lighter. Before that, PEZ candy was sold in small metal tins. The new distributor along with a popular advertising campaign that featured illustrations of beautiful women known as the PEZ girls, helped the company grow and expand.
Figure head dispensers were initially developed for the US market in 1955. PEZ was imported to the US in 1952, but sales were initially poor. The company has decided to expand its US marketing campaign targeting adults to include marketing to children as well. The company put the characters on its dispensers and introduced fruit-flavored candies that would appeal more to a child’s palate than the original peppermint flavor.
PEZ dispensers have become a collector’s item, with many collectors seeking discontinued dispensers or looking to purchase new dispensers as they become available. It has been estimated that the company has produced around 300 different dispensers throughout its history.
Today, the popularity of PEZ brand candy and dispensers remains strong and they are available in over 60 countries worldwide.
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