When it comes to leftovers, these days, any plastic — or glass — container will do. But for decades, that plastic storage container was Tupperware, created by Earl Tupper right here in Massachusetts.

Cathy Chaplin is a former senior editor at Eater LA, a James Beard Award–nominated journalist, and the author of Food Lovers’ Guide to Los Angeles. I beamed with pride when a server at an old-school ...