Decoder Ring | I am Tupperware, I Contain Multitudes

The storage container is a stealthy star of the modern home. It’s
something we use to organize more of our stuff than ever before,
and also something other people use to organize their stuff for our
viewing pleasure. Its role as a source of soothing, satisfying,
potentially viral clicks is new, but storage container innovations
are not – something we had occasion to remember when Tupperware,
the company, recently filed for bankruptcy. Tupperware was the
original container craze. In today’s episode we’re going to connect
it to the contemporary one, because as it happens, for a long time
now, we’ve been filling empty plastic boxes with far more than just
leftovers.   This episode was reported and produced by
Olivia Briley. It was edited by Willa Paskin. Decoder Ring is
produced by Willa Paskin, Evan Chung, Katie Shepherd and Max
Freedman. Derek John is Executive Producer. Merritt Jacob is Senior
Technical Director. In this episode, you’ll hear from Amanda Mull
who wrote the articles “Tupperware Is in Trouble” and “Home
Influencers Will Not Rest Until Everything Has Been Put in a Clear
Plastic Storage Bin.” And from Bob Kealing, the author of
Tupperware Unsealed.  If you have any cultural mysteries you
want us to decode, email us at DecoderRing@slate.com Want more
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