PEZ candy started as a breath mint to help adults quit smoking! Invented in 1927 by Austrian confectioner Eduard Haas III, PEZ got its name from the German word “Pfefferminz” (peppermint). The first PEZ dispensers looked like cigarette lighters to reinforce their anti-smoking message. But in 1955, PEZ pivoted to kids by introducing character dispensers, and the rest is sugary history! Fun fact: PEZ was a smoking cessation aid before it became a candy-collecting craze.

Fun Fact: The most expensive PEZ dispenser ever sold fetched $13,000 at auction. This was for a rare 1950s astronaut-themed PEZ dispenser, one of only two known to exist. Collectible PEZ dispensers, particularly those from limited runs or with unique designs, can fetch significant sums, especially among dedicated collectors.