Homer Laughlin introduced Fiesta in January 1936 at the Pottery and Glass Show in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The casual line of dinnerware had a streamlined look that was complemented by a well planned group of accessories. The key to the line went beyond the design by the highly regarded Fredrick Rhead. Just as important was the selection of festive colors, all in a semi-reflective surface similar to that of a billiard ball.

Fiesta originally came in five colors: red (which was actually an orange-red), cobalt, light green, yellow and ivory. Turquoise was added in mid-1937. Red was discontinued in 1943 when the U.S. government assumed control of uranium oxide, which was used in the manufacture of this red glaze. The color returned to the market in March of 1959.

By the fall of 1951 the company had retired three colors: cobalt, light green, and ivory. They were replaced with forest green, rose, chartreuse, and gray, the so-called "Fifties" colors.The eleventh and final color to be added was medium green, introduced in 1959. Medium green was short-lived as the entire Fiesta line was restyled in 1969. The new dinnerware, Fiesta Ironstone, was laid to rest on January 1, 1973, bringing an end to the famous Fiesta line.

When collecting Fiesta, value depends on three considerations: 1) "first-quality" are the most desirable production runs, as opposed to "second quality" of lesser value due to imperfections; 2) Fiesta "retires" selected colors or certain items from time to time, which decrease in availability and increase in value; 3) types of items were produced with varing quantities, here again making those harder-to-find pieces of more value.

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