The mysterious philanthropist John Beresford Tipton was named for Tipton, Missouri, the birthplace of producer Don Fedderson's wife, Tido Fedderson.
As the series progressed:
- $1,000,000 in 1955 had the same purchasing power as $11,700,000 in 2024.
- $1,000,000 in 1956 had the same purchasing power as $11,500,000 in 2024.
- $1,000,000 in 1957 had the same purchasing power as $11,200,000 in 2024.
- $1,000,000 in 1958 had the same purchasing power as $10,900,000 in 2024.
- $1,000,000 in 1959 had the same purchasing power as $10,800,000 in 2024.
- $1,000,000 in 1960 had the same purchasing power as $10,600.000 in 2024.
The name John Beresford Tipton, the never-seen multibillionaire, was created by the producer, Don Fedderson. He used his father's first name, John; his hometown, Beresford, South Dakota; and his wife Tido Fedderson's hometown, Tipton, Iowa.
The character John Beresford Tipton is always listed in the credits, but Paul Frees, the actor who supplies his voice, is never listed.
This show was parodied on the first episode of SCTV Network 90 in 1981.