Narrator: Prior to the invention of tupperware, most people used glassware such as mason jars, oval wooden shakers or pyrex dishes to store their foods. While these were better than what people had used previously, there still was room for improvement.
Narrator: Introduces Earl Tupper talking about how he was making items for the war, trying to create plastic but there were issues, none of his products were selling and he was a complete failure
*cut scene to Earl Tupper inventing Tupperware*
Tupper: Working at DuPont just isn’t cutting it for me anymore, I have so many great ideas. I think it’s time I finally start my own company.The Earl S. Tupper company. I like it, that’s what it will be.
(Yousef fiddling around with his hands trying to come up with something. Something comes to him!) AHA I’VE GOT IT! (puts lid on bowl) This is going to change the future of food preservation! ….But what to call it? TUPPERWARE
*cut to scene of two Housewives getting frustrated with their current food storage methods*
Patricia: Mason Jars were a great idea when I first got them. I loved being able to make my own jelly and jam. Too bad I always lose the church key that lets me open them. And it took me forever to figure out how to get them to seal properly. That wasted a lot of my food.
Linda: Oh my goodness, how on earth did this spoil already!? I thought that these pyrex dishes were supposed to prevent that from happening!
*cut scene to Earl Tupper trying to sell products at grocery store, in-person, etc. and failing*
Tupper talking to local Supermarket employee on the phone: I have this great new product that I strongly will be successful if it is marketed within your stores. What do you say? Do you want to add Tupperware to your inventory?
*Supermarket person responds on the phone*
Tupper: Oh great! I’m so thrilled to hear that, you won’t regret it! This product is about to take off!
*cut to a scene where the housewives call each other to compare food storage methods and talk about seeing tupperware on the shelf but not really understanding its use*
Patricia calls Linda: Linda, hello?
Linda: Hi Patricia! How are you?
Patricia: I’m doing well thanks! I was wondering if you had taken a trip to the supermarket lately?
Linda: I was just in there yesterday, why do you ask?
Patricia: Well, I was walking down the aisle to get some more lids for my mason jars and there was this new product on the shelf. I think it was called Tupperware? Have you heard of it?
Linda: Gee, I don’t think I have! Describe it to me!
Patricia: It looked like it was made of plastic, which is odd. I’ve never seen anything like it before!
Linda: Wow, I wonder what it was used for! I wish there was a way that we could see that…
*cut scene to Brownie Wise calling Earl Tupper to talk about her success selling Tupperware*
Brownie Wise on the phone: Mr Tupper, is that you? Hi! This is Brownie Wise, I’ve heard that you have this great new product but your store sales are extremely low. I work for Stanley Home Products and I think I could be an invaluable asset to your company.
Tupper: Is that so? What do you have to offer?
Wise: I think the main problem that you’re having with sales, is that people are unfamiliar with the product and aren’t really sure how to use it or what makes it stand out from other food storage alternatives.
Tupper: Fair. So what do you have in mind?
Wise: Well, one of the things that I am currently doing is working to promote products via home parties. I know that you have tried marketing them in a similar way, but I believe that if we cater directly to the women of the households and show them how to use it sales would skyrocket!
Tupper: Alright, well why don’t we give it a shot. Let’s meet next week and go over ways that you can present the product.
*cut scene to Earl Tupper meeting Brownie Wise to see her marketing tactics*
Tupper: So since you’re such a sales wiz, what did you have in mind?
Wise: You did say it was an airtight lid right?
Tupper: Yes, why?
Wise: Well, I was thinking that the women really need to be able to see just how durable this product is. Maybe we could fling it across the room like this! (throws it across the room)
Tupper: WOW! Nothing came out of it, and you’re the marketing lady now. If that’s what you want to do, we can make that happen.
Narrator: With this, Brownie Wise and Tupper partnered up to begin selling their product in the homes of women.
*cut scene to a Tupperware party featuring Brownie Wise and two other gal pals*
Brownie Wise: Look how great these air tight bowls are? Did I mention they’re plastic? They’ll keep your casseroles and food good for days in your refrigerator? Which means you can have leftovers all the time! Less time cooking for us ladies!
Astonished Patricia: You’re telling me that I don’t have to cook a new meal every night because leftovers won’t spoil?
Brownie Wise: And more! It’s better than those glass casserole dishes because they won’t break. Watch this *drops plastic tupperware bowl*
Linda: Oh my gosh! That’s incredible!
Brownie Wise: I know and did you know they come in an assortment of colors?
Patricia: They totally go with my kitchen.
Linda: Almost like they’re meant to be!
*cut scene to Earl Tupper excited about the success of sales*
Tupper: Holy Cow, Brownie! These women are loving this! Do you think you could go to another tupperware party this week and observe other women doing your sales tactics?
Wise: Of course, I can definitely do that.
Tupper: Things are going so well, and I’m really excited about the direction that this company is headed. I think you were right when you said you would be an invaluable asset to this company. How would you feel about moving up to Vice President?
Wise: Me? Vice President?! Why of course! It would be an honor!
*cut to scene of more house parties and more sales*
Housewife: Alright ladies, listen up! We’ve got an important guest here today, Ms. Brownie Wise! She is one of the masterminds behind this product.
Now, I know you’re tired of your current food storage ways or else you wouldn’t be here. I know I was! Tupperware has changed my life in numerous ways. First off, my food is lasting longer. Secondly, it has given me some freedom in that in a way, I’m now an entrepreneur.
(all of the women in the room nod in agreement, murmur about how that could be them.)
Housewife: So let me now take some time today to talk to you about this new product, Tupperware! Tupperware is great for storing soups, salads, and any type of leftover. This air tight lid is great for preservation and is super durable. I have absolutely loved having this in my kitchen and you will too.
Housewife murmurs: Wow! I could definitely use this in my kitchen.
Other Housewife: I’ll take one of everything!
Housewife seller: Wonderful! Both Brownie and I will be around all afternoon, don’t hesitate to ask us any questions about the product! Thank you all for coming out!
*cut scene to Earl Tupper getting jealous of Brownie Wise*
Tupper: Alright Ms. Wise, we need to talk.
Wise: Ms. Wise, excuse me. Since when are we not on a first name basis?
Tupper: Since you started taking over my company. This is Tupperware. You’re selling Tupperware and is your last name Tupper? NO. It’s mine, because it’s MY company. Not yours! If you wanted Brownieware maybe you should go talk to Betty Crocker!
Wise: I had no idea you felt this way. Sorry for trying to help you sell a product that you couldn’t!
Tupper: That’s it! I’ve had it with you! You are no longer VP of this company. You’re fired!
Narrator talks about how Tupper sold his company to Rexall Drug Company for more than $9million and moved to Costa Rica. He died there at the age of 76, after suffering from a heart attack (http://www.nytimes.com/1983/10/07/obituaries/earl-tupper-the-father-of-tupperware-dies.html)
*flash-forward to today where Emma and Nicole talk about how Tupperware has had an impact our society*
Nicole: Tupperware was crucial in two major ways. One, it changed the way that people preserved and transported food. Two, it allowed for women to serve as entrepreneurs while still being able to stay at home and take care of household duties. This model of at home parties is still used today for companies like Silpada and Lu La Roe.
Emma: Tupperware’s success can be measured in the fact that while we now have alternatives to Tupperware such as Glad, Ziploc, and Rubbermaid, we still refer to all of them as Tupperware.
*Ghosts of Earl Tupper and Brownie Wise appear to proudly reflect on their legacy*
Tupper’s Ghost looking at brownie: You know what Brownie, I think we did it. Look at this, look at all of these people using tupperware. I’m really sorry for what I said, you were a great VP, I just got caught up in my emotions. This company would not be what it is today had it not been for you.
Wise’s ghost talking to Tupper: You know, it’s hard to keep a level head in the business world sometimes. It’s okay, I’m glad that I could help sell your product but also give housewives some much deserved freedom.
THE END