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PEZ Timeline
Chronology
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| 1927- 1959 |
| 1927 marked the birth of PEZ. Eduard Haas had an idea, which was to start the triumphant campaign around the entire globe, which continues until the present day. At that time, candy flavored with valuable peppermint aroma was promoted as
"The mint for the refined world" for adults.
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There was still no talk of children being a target group, even with the introduction of the first PEZ
box in 1949. |
1952 saw the start of the breakthrough into the American
market. |
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| In
1953, PEZ was marketed to the US interests in occupied Germany. It was
a huge success. |
The marketing included the use of several advertisement logos and themes
in 1954. |
By 1955, PEZ was ready to experiment with characters,
starting first with full bodied characters like Santa and a
Space man.
They issued their Golden Glow regular as well. |
| Taking advantage of the space craze, they issued a
space gun in 1956 as well as
a witch "regular" for Halloween. That proved to be a huge success so
they worked on the idea of character heads. |
In 1957 they issued the first
witch head. |
They followed the witch success with an Easter bunny the next spring. Even
more successful. Santa was added for christmas in 1958. |
A spaceman in honor of the Mercury astronauts was added in 1959. Sales literally "took
off". |
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1960-1970 |
First patent
#2,620,061 was issued on December 2, 1960. |
The hunt was now on for characters that could be used for the heads.
Popular comic books and kids TV shows of the day brought Bozo, Popeye, and
Casper Ghost to the mix in 1960.
The first Bozo was not die-cut - that came in 1961. But still
PEZ needed a bigger
draw. Since the product had become more attractive for children, the popularity of PEZ could no longer be kept in check.
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1961 saw Easter Bunny Die-cut, Bozo Die-cut, Donald Duck A, Donald Duck Die-cut, Clown with Collar, Mickey Mouse Die-cut
stem with painted face, Mickey Mouse Die-cut stem with die-cut face, Mickey Mouse A (die-cut face), and Mickey Mouse B (painted face)
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Since the Disney experiment proved to be the
"Magic" touch, in 1962 licenses were purchased for
all the Walt Disney cartoon characters. Boxes were decorated with Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck,
and Goofy and the rush could no longer be stemmed. With each new series, the PEZ brand increasingly becomes a
collector's cult and fascinated young and old all over the world.
Lion's Club, Astronaut A, Easter Bunny B, and Pinocchio A were new.
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Pluto A, Cocoa Marsh, Easter Bunny C (Fat Ears), and Bullwinkle came
out in 1963.
   
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Football Player and
Baseball Glove followed in 1964.
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In 1965 Frankenstein A, Wolfman A, Creature of the Black Lagoon A, Practical Pig A, Li'l Bad Wolf, Candy Shooter, Zorro with Logo, Santa B, Mexican
PEZpal, Boy with Cap, and Sailor PEZpal proved to be popular and the search
for more characters was on.
Since 1965 approximately 35 licenses have been purchased worldwide with producers of the most popular Cartoon Characters, which has ensured the customer loyalty of generations in over 80 countries for
PEZ.
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In 1966
Batman with Cape appears, Goofy A is added to the Disney line, and
Brutus and Olive Oyl from the Popeye comics are a big hit.
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Snow White, Dopey, Mowgli, Baloo, King Louie, Green Hornet, Lion, and Monkey Sailor
show up in 1967.
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Second patent, #3,410,455, was issued in 1968.
Considering the times, it only made sense to come out with
Psychedelic Flower and Psychedelic Hand.
 
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Peter Pan, Tinkerbelle, and Captain Hook were added to the Disney line in 1969.
  
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Lacking character variety, PEZ started experimenting with their own
variations on a theme in 1970, issuing:
Chick in Egg A (no hat), Sparefroh, Witch C, One-Eyed Monster, Octopus, Mr. Ugly, Santa C with Loop, Angel with Loop, Indian Chief, Circus Elephants with Hair, Maharajah
PEZpal, Pirate PEZpal, Policeman PEZpal, Doctor PEZpal, Nurse PEZpal, Fireman
PEZpal, Girl, Little Lion, and Pony-Go-Round
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| In 1973,
PEZ sets up its organization in Orange, Connecticut/ USA, which is
responsible for production and sales operations on the American continent
The new factory was completed in 1974 and it's new dispencer design was
given patent #3,845,882 on November 5th |
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Hippo, Indian Brave, and Mickey Mouse C were added in 1971.
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Alpine PEZpal, Make-A-Face, Knight PEZpal, Sheik PEZpal, and Dr. Skull A
were added in 1972
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It was in 1973 that Duck with
Flower, Cow A, Raven, Cat with Derby, Panda A (removable pieces), Mary Poppins, Cowboy, Pinocchio B, and Jiminy Cricket saw the light.
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Asterix, Obelix, Mueslix, and Snowman A were introduced in 1974.
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Uncle Sam, Betsy Ross, Captain (Paul Revere), Pilgrim, Daniel Boone, Wounded Soldier, Indian Squaw, Stewardess, Pilot, Engineer PEZpal, Bride PEZpal, Groom PEZpal, Clown with Chin, Cockatoo, Ringmaster PEZpal, Gorilla, Practical Pig B, and Crazy Fruit Orange
all came out in 1975.
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Further improvements landed yet another patent, #3,942,683, on March 9,
1976 |
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1976
saw the release of Olympic Snowman, Creature B, Cow B, Circus Elephant with Flat Hat, Circus Elephant with Pointy Hat, Mimic the Monkey, Yappy the Dog, Roar (Lion with Crown), Rooster, Lamb, Chick with Egg B (with hat), Giraffe, and Crocodile.
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1977 saw the issue
of Astronaut B, Duck Nephew, Dumbo, Uncle Scrooge, and Sheriff PEZpal.
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Bugs Bunny A, Sylvester A, Tweety A, Daffy Duck A, Merlin Mouse, Speedy
Gonzales A, Winnie the Pooh, Creature C, Rudolph, Panther, Chip, Dalmatian
Pup, Thumper, Spiderman A (removable eyes), Thor, Hulk A (dark green), and
Captain America arrived on the scene in 1978.
       
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New for 1979 were Batman
Softhead (SH), Batgirl
SH, Penguin SH, Joker SH, Wonderwoman SH, Mickey Mouse SH, Donald Duck SH, Pluto
SH, Goofy SH, Dumbo SH, Captain Hook SH, Spook Eerie Spectres (ES), Air Spirit ES, Zombie ES, Scarewolf ES, Vamp ES, Diabolic ES, Truck A, Truck B, Coaches Whistles, Popeye C, Crazy Fruit Pineapple, Crazy Fruit Pear, and Peter PEZ A
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New for 1980 were Droopy Dog A, Tyke A, Spike A, Tom
A, Jerry A&B, Barney Bear, Foghorn Leghorn, Roadrunner A, Wile E. Coyote, Petunia Pig, Cool Cat, Henry Hawk, Lamb Merry Music Maker
(MMM) (U.S.A. Whistles), Duck MMM, Rooster MMM, Dog MMM, Pig MMM, and Donkey
MMM, Camel MMM, Clown MMM, and Rhino MMM
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Pumpkin A with die-cut face, Snowman
B, Frog Merry Music Makers (MMM Foreign issue), Koala
MMM, Owl MMM, Panda A MMM, Wonder woman A (raised star on headband),
Hulk (light green stem and Dark green hair) and
Truck C all came out in 1981.
       
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Annie, Space Gun, and Worlds Fair (Knoxville, TN) were added in 1982
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1983 only saw a remake of Mickey Mouse.
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1984 was another slim year. Only Donkey Kong Jr., Vucko - Olympic Wolves, and PIF
came out that year. Feet were added to European issued PEZ starting in 1984
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Patent
#4,966,305 issued
on October 30, 1990 and all plants worldwide began to adapt by years end.
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Early in 1990, the Garfield character
line was expanded with Arlene and Nermal plus Garfield in a visor. A
new Bunny & Panda were designed for Easter, and the Peanuts gang
(Charlie Brown, Lucy, Snoopy, Woodstock) followed shortly thereafter (May). The
Pezasuars were issued in Europe only under the names Brutus, Titus, Chaos,
and Venesia. A new design to many characters accompanied the addition of
a new plants in China and Hungary. More Merry Music Makers came out:
Indian, Monkey, Panda B, Parrot, Penguin, and Tiger
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1991 saw the apppearance of the
Muppet characters: Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzie Bear. Also in
1991: Truck D (non-moveable wheels), Witch D, Skull B, Pumpkin B (small head),
Snowman C, Spiderman
B (China), Hulk B (China), Wonderwoman B, Scrooge McDuck B, Icee Bear A, Daffy Duck B.
Silver Glow regular was issued to celebrate the opening of the
new plant in Hungary.
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Hungary appeared for the first time on stems
in 1991.
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1992 saw a new Easter Chick in Egg
and the new Disney Duck Tales characters: Webby Duck, Bouncer Beagle, and Gyro Gearloose. MGM's
Spike B, Droopy Dog B were reworked and Tuffy
A was added to the list. Sylvester B and Tweety B were slightly modified.
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1993 saw the Flintstones: Fred, Barney, Dino, Pebbles
as well as the Peter Pez Dispenser come online. Fuzzy Friends
plush dispensers were issued with Barky Brown as a brown fuzzy dog.
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The first edition of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles showed up in 1994.
Also PEZpal Boy B (no extra holes in head), PEZpal Girl B (no extra holes in head),
and a newer Tuffy B
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Yugoslavia changed to Slovenia and
Czechoslovakia split into
The Czech Republic and Slovakia.
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1995 saw The Pezasaurs issued to the US market with new names (He-saur, She-saur,I-saur,
and Fly-saur), a new Batman (this time black), and the remake
of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and the Easter chick in Egg. Regulars
came out with a new design and color
scheme and were packaged with mint candy. MGM's Jerry C was a re-work in
progress.
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It was in 1996 when Yosemite Sam and
Tazmanian Devil were added to the Looney
Tunes set. That prompted a remake of Sylvester and Speedy Gonzalez. And while
they were at it, Batman still wasn't right, so it was redesigned again (Dark
Navy Blue with pointed ears). New Pezpals and their body parts: Alpine boy, Pilot, Shell Gas attendant (June).
A BubbleMan Premium was offered (September). The Kooky Zoo characters first appeared that year as well: Hippo, Elephant, Lion, Koala, Gator (October)
A new Donald Duck and a new Valentines heart came out. Santa C
came out for Christmas (painted eyes).
      
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Star Wars first appeared in 1997 because of the movie popularity. Darth Vader,
Stormtrooper, Chewbacca, Yoda, C-3PO
were the first and came out in March. Luke, Leia, Boba Fett and Ewok
would be added a year later. Pluto, Goofy, and Mickey Mouse were given a remake as was Donald Duck
and his nephews Dewey.& Louie. Daisy Duck, Huey Duck, and Minnie
Mouse were added to the Disney Series. The Pink Panther series first
appeared with the Pink Panther, Ant, Aardvark, and Inspector Clouseau.
MGM cartoon series saw remakes of Jerry E, Tom D,
and Tuffy D. The Smurf Series was re-issued with a new Smurf B, Papa Smurf B, Smurfette B,
and newly added Brainy Smurf and Gargamel. A neon Santa C came out for
Christmas and Miss Piggy B was redone.
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The Asterix remake was the hot one in 1998 which added the
Roman Soldier to
the collection. along with the new issue
of Garfield characters including Odie. Also showing up for Halloween in 1998
were Pumpkin C (large head); the glowing ghosts: Slimy Sid, Naughty Nell, Happy Henry;
and Polly Pumpkin. There was also a crystal version of these four.
Bubbleman B
came out in neon, Panda C got his ears rounded, as did Batman.
Other issues included: Psychedelic Eye B (white and black hands, and neon yellow and pink
hands), Skull C (Diablo), Tex-Mex Santa D, "D.E.T.Y.S." Snowman
(red and yellow head), "VooDoo Mama" Witch (black and yellow
face), Pal "S" Pilot Glow in the Dark (GD), Pal "M" Shell GD, Pal "J" Alpine
GD, Aral Boy "Tow Head" (blonde hair), Aral Boy "Carrot-Top" (red hair), Shell Boy "Brownie" (brown hair), Shell Boy "Grey"
(grey hair), Shell Boy "Goldie" (gold hair), Shell Boy "Whitey" (white
hair). Kooky Zoo came out with a crystal
Elephant, Lion, Hippo,
Alligator. Icee Bear B, , "Pinky" the Elephant, "David W" the Lion, Brown Bear, Black Bear.
Luke, Leia, Boba Fett and Ewok were added to the Star Wars Series
          
               
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Jack-in-the-box series came as a premium for the fast food place of the
same name in 1999. Regular new issues included the
Nintendo series, Crazy Animals,
Cool Looney Tunes, the FAO Schwarz Bear and the New Holiday Bears,
Japanese Regulars,
Zielpunkt dispenser, and Wolverine. that year also saw the remake of Miss Piggy,
Kermit, Hulk, and Spiderman. The BP Pez Pal with body parts was also issued.
The Easter lamb got pupils and the Easter Bunny and Chick in Egg
were redesigned. D-Series Glow Trucks came out. Non-glowing ghosts came out to accompany the glowing ghosts:
Henry, Nell, & Sid. Psychedelic flowers, Crystal
Ghosts, Crystal Crazy Animals, Crystal Bubbleman, Crystal Pezasaurs,
Crystal Holiday characters and Misfit characters
were offered as mail order premiums.
             
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Patent 5,984,285 was issued Nov. 16, 1999 with Hungary and
China being
the first to re-tool for the new stem starting in 2000.
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