Candy History, Nostalgic Candy Favorites

The History of Pez Iconic Candy Dispensers

January 23, 2014 by

early-pez-dispensersNothing says childhood quite like PEZ. There’s something nostalgic about these familiar little treats that bring back memories of yesteryear with each and every bite. But would you believe that your favorite PEZ didn’t start out as the fruity candy we know and love today? It’s true! In fact, this is one candy that has a history that may surprise you.

Pfefferminz to PEZ

Eduard Haas III invented PEZ in 1927, in Vienna, Austria. The name of the candy originated from the German word for peppermint, which happens to be “pfeffermintz.” Haas took the ‘p,’ ‘e,’ and ‘z’ from the German word to get the candy’s name, PEZ. And after eight years, the company was doing so well that they had to build a factory in Czechoslovakia to increase production.

PEZ For Your Health

Then in 1948, Oscar Uxa revolutionized the PEZ experience, designing a PEZ dispenser that allowed one piece of candy to be dispensed at a time. This was a sanitary measure that prevented people from touching every piece of candy before choosing one. However, it also doubled as an anti-smoking campaign.

The push for people to eat PEZ instead of smoking a cigarette was a real one. In fact, early slogans for the candy boasted, “No smoking, PEZing Allowed” as Haas hoped his candy might lower smoking rates.

PEZ in the USA

pez-space-gun-dispensersIt wasn’t until 1952 that PEZ made their way to the United States. In that year, the first U.S. PEZ headquarters were established in New York City. Despite PEZ’s success in Europe, Curtis Allina, the first president of PEZ in the U.S., found the candy difficult to sell because of the strong peppermint flavor. So, in an attempt to draw children to the brand, PEZ came up with the idea to create fruity flavored versions and cute, character-themed dispensers.

The idea worked. In no time, children and adults alike were in love with PEZ. The very first dispensers available were a Full-body Santa, Robot, and Space Gun. And since then, the character-themed dispensers have really taken off! Today, there are countless different PEZ dispensers to choose from, and ten different candy flavors available. We have Hello Kitty PEZ Dispensers, Marvel Superhero PEZ dispensers, and everything in between. There really is a PEZ for everybody.

pez-dispensersFrom Far to Near

And while PEZ are sold worldwide, the PEZ candy that you eat in the USA is made in America. So with a single satisfying click of any PEZ dispenser, you can feel good knowing that the candy in your mouth is really much closer to home than you would expect.

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18 Comments

  • Reply 10 Strange Stories And Origins Of Our Favorite Candies | NUTRITION BUZZ April 8, 2016 at 6:47 am

    […] the transition to American markets, PEZ changed to their iconic fruity flavors, and the dispensers acquired their character tops. Whether PEZ have actually discouraged smoking is debatable. But PEZ still exist today as beloved […]

  • Reply Albert D Corbine June 11, 2016 at 4:33 pm

    When I was a child in the mid 60’s I come across a package of your candy and true to form the dispenser got tossed aside and i open all the candy and had one enjoyable handful.loved pez candy. I liked the dispensers but after a few tries I found that I could only enjoy pez by the handful. I have not had pez candy for many years now but have recently

  • Reply Albert D Corbine June 11, 2016 at 4:38 pm

    I wish I could get pez candy in un wrapped bulk form. It does help the urge to not smoke. Also I want to eat it by the handful without having to fumble with the awful little wrappers.

  • Reply 10 Strange Stories And Origins Of Our Favorite Candies | Bevmacaleese January 11, 2017 at 9:06 am

    […] the transition to American markets, PEZ changed to their iconic fruity flavors, and the dispensers acquired their character tops. Whether PEZ have actually discouraged smoking is debatable. But PEZ still exist today as beloved […]

  • Reply Katie June 6, 2017 at 11:06 pm

    I was wondering if anyone knew what the pez snappers were

  • Reply Christian Steward September 16, 2017 at 9:29 am

    They should make chocolate once

    • Reply Michael Ward September 28, 2017 at 3:00 pm

      They do make a chocolate pez

      • Reply Bobo Vonrecklinhausen. March 11, 2018 at 10:13 pm

        Chocolate PEZ sounds gross.

  • Reply D.J. Burnette April 4, 2018 at 11:07 pm

    I just got a Mario themed pack of 4 PEZ candy dispensers.

  • Reply D.J. Burnette April 4, 2018 at 11:08 pm

    I got a Mario themed pack of 4 PEZ candy dispensers.

  • Reply mary stenov September 11, 2018 at 10:41 pm

    Would it be possible to find a Matryoshka doll Pez dispenser – would it be possible to create ethnic Pez containers – they would help to teach cultural differences as well as similarities – costumes of all nations are wonderful – think about it!
    Children and adults love the Matryoshka dolls – might sell millions – affectionately – Mary

    • Reply Jonah Half September 17, 2018 at 1:42 pm

      What a wonderful idea! We will pass along this suggestion to the manufacturer of Pez dispensers.

  • Reply It’s all about the dispenser – Footle and Grok November 10, 2018 at 10:32 am

    […] turns out the PEZ has a fascinating history. You can read the entire account here, but I have listed some highlights. I now like PEZ a lot more than I did. […]

  • Reply Garner July 4, 2019 at 4:23 pm

    I wish I had all the PEZ candy dispensers I throw away when I was a child and as I raised my children. I could retire with ease.

    • Reply Jonah Half July 9, 2019 at 1:39 pm

      Our wholesale company was one of the first to offer Pez back in the 1930s and baseball cards too. Imagine if we kept one of everything that passed through our doors…. Live and learn.

  • Reply Chris December 27, 2019 at 3:56 pm

    My fav!! My to go to candy!! Takes me back to my childhood! Thank you for still being around!

  • Reply Chrissy A December 31, 2019 at 3:56 am

    Is it possible to get that original peppermint flavor? The one sold in Europe but too strong for U.S.?

  • Reply Tim Miskell January 28, 2023 at 9:47 pm

    Was wondering when was the first super-hero pez dispenser made?

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