Trick-or-treaters will soon be at the door, and though popular costumes and masks change, some things never change.

One of these is PEZ, the ever-popular collectible that enthusiasts have enjoyed amassing for generations.

Kids still enjoy the clever and collectible PEZ gadgets filled with candy.

PEZ Candy Inc. says that the business has been a part of the American scene for more than 50 years. First marketed as a compressed peppermint candy 95 years ago in Vienna, Austria, the interesting name comes from the German word for peppermint — pfefferminz — combining the first, middle and last letters.

Today, billions of PEZ Candies are consumed annually in the United States alone.

With different flavors and collectible dispensers, PEZ is more than just a candy, it’s dubbed a pioneer of “interactive candy” that is both enjoyable to eat and fun to play with, an icon of American pop culture. New character dispensers are introduced regularly to capitalize on current trends.

Originally, the mint candy was sold in tins not cute little dispensers, however. Adults were the focus and it was marketed as an alternative-to-smoking breath mint. Then in 1948 the company came out with the flip top dispenser that was easy to use and carry. Finally, in 1952 the company wanted to conquer the American market so they added the charming heads and focused on children.

According to PEZ Collector’s News, the first of these new dispensers was either a full body robot or a full body Santa — no one’s certain.

PEZ Candy is now manufactured in Orange, Conn. By PEZ CANDY, INC. and marketed along with other unique confectionery products through supermarkets, variety stores, drug stores, convenience stores, toy chains and gift stores throughout the U.S. Check them out the next time you shop, you may be surprised what a cute inexpensive gift they can be.

PEZ is a great example of how Americans love to save pop culture images. As a culture, we seek the commercial and enjoy different interpretations of a pop theme. PEZ is happy to respond and creates numerous candy containers with heads that open to dispense the rectangular candy, one at a time.

Disney, cartoons, holidays, Elvis, movie characters — all have been made into PEZ heads. The more valuable dispensers are without feet, which is a term for the little plastic stands that were added in 1987 to help the PEZ to stand up straight.

Today the Connecticut PEZ factory turns out the little brick-like candy five days a week. New dispensers are filled and marketed all over the country and sell for a few dollars each.

Old PEZ can sell for more than $100 on eBay and other auction sites. These are generally rare vintage examples with no feet that are in excellent condition.

There seems to be debate about leaving the collectible PEZ in their original wrapper, which can be a blister card or a small sealed wrapper. Many collectors take them out for display purposes and to enjoy them. Others do not.

PEZ collectors have a good time collecting their beloved candy containers and plan conventions and gatherings for swap meets and more. Visit PEZ.com for complete information on the next meeting where collectors will share and enjoy PEZ displays and dealers.

There are also newsletters and social media pages that PEZ collectors can check, along with reference books on values and more. Since this sweet habit is available in more than 90 countries orldwide, it’s a global passion that is perfect for Halloween.