Burlingame Museum of Pez Memorabilia - Burlingame, California - World's Top Collection of Pez Items

The Burlingame Museum of Pez Memorabilia has been featured in magazines and on television. It has a place in the Guinness Book of World Records, too. Each year, visitors to the San Francisco Bay Area make a pilgrimage here, causing many to ask, "What exactly is all the fuss about?''

The answer: A gizmo invented to dispense small pieces of candy. It all goes back 1927. That's when Austrian candy executive Eduard Haas came up with little bricks of a peppermint confection he called "Pez'' - which was short for "PfeffErminZ,'' the German word for "peppermint.''

Hass's tiny treats were originally packaged and sold in small tins. They were marketed to adults as a mint for those who were trying to quit smoking. Then, in 1950, the first Pez dispenser appeared, a rectangular-shaped, spring-loaded device that could neatly deliver the peppermint pellets one at a time. These early dispensers are today known by aficionados as "regulars.'' Then, in 1952, cartoon-like character heads were added to the Pez dispensers. Marketing emphasis shifted from adults to children and the rest, as they say, is history.

Since 1950, more than 500 different heads have been added to Pez dispensers - from Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, Popeye, and the Pink Panther to generic pandas, Santas, roosters, cats, and dogs - turning the early versions into rare collectibles. The candy itself underwent a transformation, too, evolving from pure white peppermint to fruit flavors and pastel colors. As result, Pez has developed a worldwide following of collectors, historians, and nostalgia buffs, as well as sweet-toothed consumers.

To honor this fad turned movement, Gary Doss decided to open the Burlingame Museum of Pez Memorabilia opened in 1995. It soon grew to become the largest public display of Pez candy dispensers in the world. Showcased here are examples of every Pez dispenser released in its 50-year history. There is even a giant one, added in 2007, which is officially recognized as the "World's Largest Dispenser of Pez'' by Guinness World Records.

In 2004, museum owner Doss added a wing called the Classic Toy Museum, which features timeless childhood favorites, such as LEGOs, Tinker Toys, Erector Sets, Lincoln Logs, View-Masters, Mr. Potato Head, Colorforms, and more. The displays include "fun facts'' and original advertising artwork, too.

Also located on the premises, the Pez Gift Shop offers a trove of Pez related products. From vintage "retired'' Pez dispensers such as the 1970's Fireman without feet to the latest Bratz and Pixar Pez products, this is the spot for Pez shopping. The store features not only an astounding array of Pez dispensers and gift sets, but also unique Pez-related items, such as display racks, Pez clock kits, Pez pens, Pez scarves and T-shirts, Pez Frisbees, Pez books, European Pez sets, and starter kits for collectors.

Open from 10am to 6pm on Tuesday through Saturday, except major holidays, the museum takes only about 15~30 minutes to tour. The cost of admission is $3 for adults and $1 for seniors aged 65 and above or children aged 4 to 12 years. Children aged three and under are admitted free of charge, and the first Thursday of each month is a Free Day for all visitors. The exhibits are wheelchair accessible, and admission to the Pez Gift Shop is free.

The Burlingame Museum of Pez Memorabilia is located fifteen minutes south of San Francisco by car. The address is 214 California Drive, Burlingame, California 94010-4113. Free parking is available in front, and both BART and Caltrans let out at the Burlingame Avenue Station, one block north of the museum.