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The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © Fatima Fakier Deria
The frog isn’t blue but click him anyway. 😉
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
THE LIFE OF THE PARTY
Hibiscus aka Brownie brushed away a tear as she put the finishing touches on her article for the Detroit News. She wrote a good life, but her “Love-Haven” column was fantasy.
A divorced single mother, she became a top saleslady for Stanley Home Products.
However, a bowl made from polyethylene slag changed her life.
“Its burping lid is amazing.” At parties she dropped the full plastic bowl on the floor. It remained sealed, clinching sale after sale.
“Brownie Wise, my vice-president, you could sweet-talk a bee out of its honey,” said inventor Earl Tupper.
Hence, the Tupperware™ party was born.
*
*
*
The first woman to ever be on the cover of Business Week, Brownie Wise was a force with which to reckon. Sadly, her story doesn’t have a happy ending. Thanks to Earl Tupper’s ego, her name was expunged from the Tupperware company. While Earl Tupper sold the company for millions, Brownie Wise lived the rest of her life in obscurity, refusing to even own a piece of Tupperware.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Tupperware has a history? I thought it was just there with the igneous rock on the day of creation
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Dear Neil,
Most inventions have a history, don’t they? I love to find them. 😉 It does seem the burping bowls have been with us forever doesn’t it. Problem at my house it I can never find the matching lids. Such is life. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Imagine those first parties! Shame about Brownie. Makes one question how many women in history have been squeezed out of credit?
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Dear Tanille,
It does make you wonder, doesn’t it? To be the queen one minute and a nobody the next. She didn’t deserve that. How many other men have taken credit for their wives’ accomplishments? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A good story based on the truth, Rochelle. Good writing as always.
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Dear Suzanne,
Thank you for your lovely comment/compliment. Get well soon so you can be back in the pink and the queue. ❤
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A wise woman (yeah, bad pun) and pioneer. It’s too bad she was never able to find the same level of success again, but great that she paved the way and encouraged other women to enter the business field.
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Dear Trent,
The only good pun is a bad pun. 😉 She did do a lot for women. Thank you for coming to the party.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I saw a documentary on Brownie Wise. Pretty amazing lady. She knew niche marketing. Great tale.
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Dear Josh,
She was amazing. Women have more to thank her for than quality food storage. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another well written, factually correct historical,piece. You certainly have the ability to take any subject, even ones no one really thinks about, and turns them into something we have to know more about. The link was interesting and informative. She certainly didn’t get what was due her. Very well done. She was a women’s pioneer in business.
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Dear Jan,
She did a lot for women. Although I was never good at the party plan, I think your sister did well with Tupperware for a while. Thanks for your vote of confidence, m’luv.
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I once wrote a poem which started ‘There are nearly a thousand Tupperware things
I’ve no idea what they are for’ and this pretty much sums up my outlook here. I am sure they are jolly useful to anyone with a brain, but I am content just to read and enjoy your story, m’lady.
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Dear CE,
There are thousands of uses and a person could sink a ton of money into them. 😉 Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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There are so many things in life we take for granted forgetting that someone somewhere at some time came up with the idea and this for me is a perfect example. Another delightfully informative piece Rochelle.
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Dear Keith,
Not sure why, but every now and again, I get a wild hair to explore those mundane things we take for granted. I’m glad you enjoyed my foray into Tupperware.
Thank you.
Shalom,.
Rochelle
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Why am I not surprised that the man who made millions expunged the name of the woman who made him into who he was? Sheesh! Very well told, Rochelle, for I am hopping mad on her behalf …
And … how fitting that this photo led me to write the little story that I’d just left with the froggy-guard-of-lunch-boxes …(I write mine before I read anyone else’s so it is always curious and intriguing to see where things took us, in the very different and not so very different places a photo can take a typing mind …) 😉
Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
Your hopping mad is my praise. Emotion evoked. Mission accomplished. Thank you. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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😀 You’re welcome … 😉 And …. yeah, while I’m not particularly difficult to elicit emotion from, getting me hopping-mad is not the most common reaction (I’m fairly difficult to anger, as things, go, though injustice WILL do the trick … and don’t even get me started on hurting the helpless …) 😉 Yep, this worked!
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I admit, I never bothered to wonder about the history of the Tupperware container. Thank you for always sharing a little knowledge with your stories, Rochelle!
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Dear Jade,
It seems every product has a beginning, doesn’t it? I’m always happy to share. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hi Rochelle,
Too bad for selfish people. If only we could teach them better.
Phyllis
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Dear Phyllis,
I agree, there are a lot of selfish people. What a pity Mr. Tupper didn’t know how to share his toys. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well said.
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Dear Rochelle,
I loathe that this is such a typical tale of greed and lack of regard towards the her who made him who he is. Well told tale, my friend.
Lotsa love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
One can’t blame Ms. Wise for getting rid of all of her Tupperware. It seems he turned into a true jerk and cut everyone of importance out of his life. Sad and infuriating as history often is. Thank you, my friend. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks for giving this women behind the scenes her due. Although, in retrospect, launching a plastic revolution was a really bad idea for the environment. Thanks for the history lesson.
Tracey
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Dear Tracey,
Well there is that…the downside to plastic.
I’m always happy to share the darker corners of history when they come my way. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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And who among us, especially the Baby Boomers, doesn’t have some Tupperware? Perhaps it’s stored away in a forgotten corner, but I still have some that I use. I remember my dad explaining to us what “plastic,” was, and how to treat it. Don’t set it on the stove, etc. Tupperware parties popped up all over the place 🙂
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Dear Linda,
My sister in law was a dealer for a period of time so I had plenty of parties. For various reasons most of my Tupperware has disappeared. I really like the disposable versions I can find in the grocery store. Thanks for stopping by. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thus spake the invention trivia guru.
Tupperware’s another of those things, along with safety pins and paperclips, that I’ve never considered. As far as I knew, cavemen invented them right after fire. They’ve just always been, like TV and cellphones.
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Dear Nobbin,
I’m so happy to be able to fill in the blanks in your education. 😉 A dirty job but someone has to do it. I’ve actually looked into the bobby pin bu there’s not much to be found other than it was invented after WWI by Luis Marcus He named it for the popular hairstyle of the day, the bob. No extra charge. 😉 Cell phones have always been? You are young! Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Fascinating story – and who could blame her for refusing to have a single piece of Tupperware in her home?
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Dear Susan,
She most certainly got the shaft. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle.
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Ugh. Reminds me of how Ray Krok swindled the McDonalds (at least per what the movie showed.) At least the McDonalds got to keep their name on the franchise.
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Dear Lisa,
History is littered with usurping vipers, isn’t it? McDonald’s? Whassat? 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You are welcome. Rochelle, yes it is. When the rule of the land is “might makes right” all sorts of exploitation/usurpation goes on.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Well, that’s put me off Tupperware! What a shame it ended this way for her. Great history lesson Rochelle.
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Dear Iain,
There are so many cheaper knock-off’s that work just as well these days. 😉 Thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, the burping lid does bring back such memories. I remember dreaming of owning a whole set… or even just one. Sadly, by the time I married they were few and far between and only found at charity shops with lids missing, etc. I never knew her story before.. now, I’m kinda glad I don’t have any. What an evil little man.
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Dear Bear,
I think perhaps he had good intentions in the beginning. But we also know the path to hell is paved with them. 😉 I have a few pieces of Tupperware but If I can find the lid I can’t find the bowl or visa versa. Personally, I like the disposable/reusable containers you can find in the grocery store. Thank you for reading and commenting. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
PS The agent liked my manuscript and wants to talk to me. Not ready to spread this far and wide but it’s very promising. 😀 😀 😀
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YEAH! I really needed a little goodnews this very cold morning.
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Why am I not surprised… I once attended a Tupperware party… unfortunately for the sales lady we were more interested in talking to our friends at the party than actually buying so much… but somewhere we have a pitcher I think
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Tupperware parties and Avon ladies, fascinating, how time move on,
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Time does move on, Mike.
Avon and Tupperware are still around. 😉
Thank you and shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Bjorn,
Some audiences are tougher than others 😉 It’s sad that Mr. Tupper’s ego couldn’t share the stage or profits with a woman. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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sad, it looks like another case of clashing egos.
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A clashing of egos indeed, Plaridel. And as the times were back then, his male ego won out. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That just shows women have had trouble breaking the glass oops plastics ceiling from time immemorial. Small men and their egos have always played spoilsport. Good historical fiction, Rochelle.
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Dear Neel,
Well said. Plastic ceiling…I like that. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Damn it Rochelle, you’ve done it again! What a fascinating piece, these unsung heroes you teach us about, you really are an absolute star!! Brilliantly done
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Dear Shrawley,
You make me blush. Thank you for such a strong and lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I remember those days – Tupperware parties, cake and wine to encourage you to buy just one more plastic box.
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Dear Liz,
I used to enjoy those parties. Although I never had much money to buy anything. I did have a few pieces I really liked and some I wondered why I wasted the money. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another nugget from history about Tupperware. Certainly Tupperware has changed the way we store stuff. Problem is these plastic products do not die in our life time. While we need to change our Tupperware every few years, if not few months.
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Dear Abhijit,
No argument. Plastics a re a blessing and a curse. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Querida Rochelle,
This story stirred a rankle in me. Gosh … Golly ( using nice words but meaning otherwise)
what a kick in the head for Brownie Wise. Makes me want to throw out my tupperware.
Muy bien escrito …
Abrazos y carino,
Isadora 😎
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Querida Isadora,
No need to toss your Tupperware, both of these people have been gone for some time. Todavia es muy triste. Gracias para sus palabras amables.
Shalom y abrazos,
Rochelle
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What a nasty man. I’m glad all the “Tupperware” in my house (and I have lots) is actually supermarket knock-offs. Interesting bit of history 🙂
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Dear Ali,
I have a lot of the knock-off’s too. In fact I have to duck when I open my cabinets. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It is one thing to invent something, quite another to actually market it successfully. It is a shame that she was left out of it in the end. They don’t make Tupperware like they used to. A few of mine have broken off their hinges after a few months. Usually, I just use regular containers anyway.
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Oh and thanks for using my image this week 🙂 🙂
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Dear Fatima,
The truth is that Tupperware would be the bowl that never was had it not been for Brownie. It’s a pity she didn’t get what was owed her. Thank you for a lovely comment and an intriguing photo. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ah, well, isn’t that a sadly familiar story, with a woman being pushed to the back of the queue when it comes to coverage – and ego! Sad that Brownie was treated so badly by Tupper and that she felt so bitter about something she should have been able to feel proud about. Loving your forays into invention history. Wondering what’s going to be next … Great story Rochelle
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Dear Lynn (no e 😉 )
Mr. Tupper had enough ego to go around, didn’t he? What a pity he couldn’t have shared the benefits of the sale of his company. Who knows? The buyers might have realized what a gold mine they had in her. But we’ll never know.
Thank you for your glowing comment. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story Rochelle! After hearing Brownie’s story I don’t want to own a piece of Tupperware either. Another story of a woman being dislodged from history, by a man. Thank you for bringing this to light.
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Dear Shelley,
I have to wonder where Tupperware would’ve gone with Brownie left in at the helm. I don’t have many pieces of it anymore. Thank you for such a lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Amazing woman. And a terrific product. A good story, Rochelle !
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Dear Laurie,
She was amazing. Thank you,
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Bravo!
We don’t think about how revolutionary it really was. Thanks for making me think.
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Dear Dawn,
Brownie was a trailblazer. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Belching Bonnie from Belton,
I’m happy to hear the bowl emitted a burp instead of a fart. Of course if you stored cabbage or Brussel sprouts in the container you might still get the same odorous results.
How cruel of Earl of Tupper to cut poor Brownie out of the pan. Now she’ll never earn her Girl Scout badge for violating the Green River Ordinance in fifty or more cities.
I suppose next week we’ll hear about Susan Suran making her film debut.
R.G. Reynolds-Wrap
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Dear R.G.
I’ve been feeling the absence of your presence on the Hollywood Squares, so I’m pleased as pickled okra (burped and sealed) to see you here. Thank you for swinging by with your freshly stored words of lack of wisdom.
Shalom,
Belching Bonnie from Belton W(T)F
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A fascinating account of a talented saleswoman, and so unfair that her contribution was ‘airbrushed’ out of history. Guess we now can’t imagine a life that didn’t feature tuppaware.
francineanglecakes
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Dear Francine,
“Airbrushed” out of history. A good way to phrase it. She definitely was treated unfairly. Tupperware is definitely a household name and product. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a creative, spunky and entrepreneurial lady! How unfair that Earl Tupper removed her name from the company! You’ve written a lovely tribute to Brownie Wise.
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Dear Mags,
From all that I’ve read, Tupper wasn’t a nice person. If it hadn’t been for Brownie, his plastic bowl would never have made it out of the hardware store. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I’ll never see Tupperware the same way again.
Shalom,
Mags
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This is a fun history lesson! Thanks for running hte challenge.
Shalom,
Ronda
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Dear Ronda,
i’m glad you enjoyed. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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