Pez is a brand of candy and associated manual candy dispensers. The candy is a pressed, dry, straight-edged, curved-corner block that is 15 mm long, 8 mm wide, and 5 mm high, with each Pez dispenser holding 12 candy pieces. Pez was first marketed as a compressed peppermint sweet in Vienna, Austria, in 1927 by Eduard Haas III. The name "PEZ" is an abbreviation of "PfeffErminZ" (German for peppermint). Over time, a new manufacturing process evolved, and the hard pressed brick shape known today was created. The product packaging evolved from wrapped rolls to a small tin to hold the mints, similar to the modern Altoids tins. Today, Pez dispensers come in a variety of shapes and designs, often featuring popular characters from movies, TV shows, and other media. The Pez collecting hobby has grown to the point where several conventions are held annually around the world.