Limited Resources

• Scarce ivory resources in the 19th century led John Wesley Hyatt to create a type of plastic called celluloid in 1870. He was motivated to develop celluloid in order to collect a reward for making an ivory substitute to be used in billiard balls. (See Reference 1)
  
  

Baked Plastic

• Leo Baekeland invented the first synthetic type of plastic Bakelite in 1907. Many items were made from Bakelite including tables and dishes, leading the way for Tupperware. (See References 2 and 3)
  
  

War Shortages

• Due to supply shortages caused by World War II, plastic substitutes were used for plastic bowls and other consumer goods. High-grade plastics like acrylic and polyethylene found their way into plane cockpits and wire coating. (See References 2 and 4)
  
  

Wonder of an Invention

• After World War II, Earl Tupper invented a process where he created the first "wonder bowl" out of polyethylene slag. Inspired by the air-tight seal on a paint can, University of Texas Historian Jeffrey Meikle says this bowl with its sealing lid launched the successful Tupperware business. (See References 2 and 4)
  
  

Tupperware Parties

• Wonder bowl sales were flat until Brownie Wise, who later became the vice president of Tupperware sales, convinced Earl Tupper to sell the bowls at "home parties." Home parties were a marketing revolution for Tupperware, leading it to become a household name. (See References 2, 4 and 5)
  
  

Still Inventing

• Earl Tupper sold the company in 1958 for $16 million. Tupperware Brands Corporation continues to make Tupperware with sales revenue in 2008 of $2.2 billion. (See References 2 and 6)