Ed Nelling News Today

PHILADELPHIA — In December 1999, Guinness World Records listed the 10 greatest inventions of the 20th century.

Though the future of the Tupperware brand is uncertain, its products have been an indelible part of American and world culture for decades. Its durable food-storage containers won’t disappear completely — from either the kitchens or hearts of their users.

PHILADELPHIA -- In December 1999, Guinness World Records listed the 10 greatest inventions of the 20th century.

Tupperware enjoyed a brief bump in sales during the heart of the pandemic, when people were cooking more and needed food storage, said Ed Nelling, finance professor at the LeBow College of Business at Drexel University. But it didn’t last. And no one was organizing parties for Tupperware or anything else as COVID-19 raged.

The Tupperware party gave women the chance to make money from home. One earned enough to pay for college for her 8 children. Consumers cherished their strainers, cupcake holders and Jell-O molds.