So when you were growing up which Lunchbox did you take with you to
school? Well...me...it was Charlie's Angels. We all
had our special lunch box to show everyone what we liked on TV, Movies
and in Music. Now everyone can take a look at our Lunchboxes
which take their rightful place in history.
Thermos is
donating lunch boxes and vacuum bottles to the permanent collections
at the National Museum of American History. An accompanying
display, “Taking America to Lunch,” will take a
lighthearted retrospective look at historic school and workplace lunch
kits and vacuum bottles from the 1880s to the 1980s, showcasing the
impact they’ve had on American’s lives. The display is currently
open and include such favorites as The Brady Bunch lunch box.
During the last century, the metal lunch box and vacuum bottle have
been more than containers for food and beverages – they have been
records of Americans’ experiences. "Lunch boxes and their
bottles are fascinating storytellers, filled with the complexities of
American childhood," said David Shayt, cultural history curator
at the National Museum of American History. "The Smithsonian sees
such food containers as memory boxes, where family and school merge
with American popular culture."
When you
mention the name Thermos, everyone has a story to tell about a moment
when a Thermos lunch box or bottle was in attendance. Even celebrities
understand the impact of the lunch box.
“Having
the right lunch box is truly a status symbol,” said Henry Winkler,
known affectionately as The FONZ from Happy Days.
Pam Dawber,
whose image appears on the lid of the Mork and Mindy lunch box
recalls, “I have a real strong memory of having a plaid metal lunch
box.”
“The Smithsonian collection of lunch boxes and vacuum bottles
reflects the evolution of America on-the-go and Thermos is proud to be
a contributor to this important part of American culture,” said Rick
Dias, Thermos’ vice-president of marketing. “Generations of
Americans have relied on Thermos brand lunch kits and vacuum bottles
to help keep their foods fresh and safe, making Thermos one of the
most recognized and endearing brands in this country.”
But how
did it all begin?
Well, back
in 1892 - first came a Thermos. An Oxford University scientist
who experimented with temperature retention, made the first vacuum
flask by sealing two glass bottles together and pumping the air out in
between. The first glass vacuum flasks were extremely fragile. It wasn’t
until 1904, when Thermos added a protective metal casing, that the
technology would be practical for the general public. The introduction
of Thermos bottles forever changed the way Americans ate and drank on
the go, allowing them to conveniently take hot and cold foods from
home.
History making men and women quickly embraced the insulated bottles
for use even in the most extreme environments. In 1907, Sir Ernest
Shackleton took a Thermos bottle on his expedition to the South Pole.
Thermos would go on to accompany Lt. Robert Peary’s trek to the top
of the world, Charles Lindbergh’s journey aboard the Spirit of St.
Louis and Amelia Earhart’s first solo transatlantic flight.
Consumers
were also quick to embrace the idea. In 1911 Thermos created the first
machine-made glass filler, making it possible to mass-produce vacuum
bottles. That same year, Thermos introduced the first workman’s
lunch kit. Industry’s move to mass production took workers farther
from away home, making it difficult to return home for lunch. Thermos
products gave consumers a safe and healthy way to take fresh food from
home to work. Over the next few decades, the popularity of Thermos
products exploded.
In the 1950’s, school lunch kits captured the hearts of the baby
boom generation. The emergence of school lunch kits coincided with the
rise of popular entertainment on television in the 50’s. In 1953, Roy
Rogers graced the first fully lithographed steel lunch box and
vacuum bottle set. It was an instant hit, selling more than two
million sets in the first year.
School lunch kit designs tell a story about the rise of pop culture in
America as lunch box art reflected popular icons of the times. Thermos
lunch boxes reflected popular themes like the space program; TV Shows
like The Brady Bunch, Charlie's Angels, Buck Rogers, Wonder Woman
and Happy Days; heroes like firemen; favorite cartoons like Looney
Tunes™, sought after toys like Barbie™ and movies like Star
Wars™.
“For
decades, school lunch kits have been a way for children to express
themselves and their interests,” said Frank Muci, Thermos’
director of marketing. “Children had a special connection with the
lunch kits they carried to school. The designs often reflected what
they aspired to be.”
“Taking America to Lunch” is currently on display at the
Smithsonian’s National Museum of History. The museum is located
on the National Mall at 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except
December 25. Admission is free.
