Family & Social Life

Bennet Family Record

Donations to the Museum have preserved irreplaceable evidence about generations of ordinary Americans. Objects from the Copp household of Stonington, Connecticut, include many items used by a single family from 1740 to 1850. Other donations have brought treasured family artifacts from jewelry to prom gowns. These gifts and many others are all part of the Museum's family and social life collections.

Children's books and Sunday school lessons, tea sets and family portraits also mark the connections between members of a family and between families and the larger society. Prints, advertisements, and artifacts offer nostalgic or idealized images of family life and society in times past. And the collections include a few modern conveniences that have had profound effects on American families and social life, such as televisions, video games, and personal computers.

Resource Type: Lunchboxes

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea Lunch Box

This metal lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1967. The lunch box bears imagery based on the movie and subsequent television series Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1967. The lunch box bears imagery based on the movie and subsequent television series Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea was a 1961 film created by Irwin Allen, which was followed by a TV series that ran from 1964-1968 and used the same sets, costumes, and props.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1967
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Aladdin
Woodall
ID Number
1988.3160.61
catalog number
1988.3160.61
nonaccession number
1988.3160

Bonanza Lunch Box

This metal lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1965. The lunch box features imagery based on the TV western Bonanza which aired from 1959-1973 on NBC. Bonanza aired 430 episodes, and is one of the longest running shows of all time.
Description
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1965. The lunch box features imagery based on the TV western Bonanza which aired from 1959-1973 on NBC. Bonanza aired 430 episodes, and is one of the longest running shows of all time. Bonanza held the number one spot on the Nielsen ratings chart from 1964-1966.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1965
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
1988.3160.62
nonaccession number
1988.3160
catalog number
1988.3160.62

Tarzan Lunch Box

This steel lunch box was made by Aladdin in 1967. It has a metal snap for its hinged lid and a collapsible green plastic handle.
Description (Brief)
This steel lunch box was made by Aladdin in 1967. It has a metal snap for its hinged lid and a collapsible green plastic handle. The box is green and features colorful action images of Tarzan in jungle settings on all external surfaces, watched by his ape friend Cheeta and the orphan boy Jai. This box had art that was based on the Tarzan television series that ran from 1966-1968 on NBC.
Description
This steel lunch box was made by Aladdin in 1967. It has a metal snap for its hinged lid and a collapsible green plastic handle. The box is green and features colorful action images of Tarzan in jungle settings on all external surfaces, watched by his ape friend Cheeta and the orphan boy Jai. This box had art that was based on the Tarzan television series that ran from 1966-1968 on NBC.
“Tarzan” is a fictional character created by American author Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875-1950). Burrough’s introduced his vine-swinging jungle hero in the story Tarzan of the Apes first published in the magazine The All-Story in 1912. The story was later reprinted as a standalone novel in 1914.
An Englishman from a noble family, Tarzan’s family dies while on an African Expedition. As an infant he us taken in and raised by Apes in Africa, learning to communicate with animals and developing exceptions strength and dexterity. Although he later discovers his human origins, Tarzan decides to remain in the jungle, developing a romantic relationship with marooned Englishwoman Jane Porter.
One of the 20th centuries first action-adventure heroes, Tarzan became a global phenomenon, inspiring the prolific Burroughs, also known for works such as his John Carter of Mars series, to pen 23 sequels featuring his “ape-man.” Inspiring scores of other pulp adventure heroes, Tarzan has become of the world’s most recognized literary characters. He remains a vital part of our shared popular culture, featured in novelizations, comic books, television, and feature films.
Reflecting many outdated cultural beliefs, the story of Tarzan has expressed many elitist and racist notions accepted at the time of Burrough’s writing.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1967
Associated Name
Burroughs, Edgar Rice
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.17.01
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.17.01

The Magic of Lassie Lunch Box

This metal lunch box was manufactured in 1978 by Thermos. Lassie the faithful collie was originally created in 1940 by Eric Knight in the short story “Lassie Come-Home.” The novel was made into a 1943 motion picture of the same name, and starred the dog Pal in the lead role.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was manufactured in 1978 by Thermos. Lassie the faithful collie was originally created in 1940 by Eric Knight in the short story “Lassie Come-Home.” The novel was made into a 1943 motion picture of the same name, and starred the dog Pal in the lead role. Pal went on to star in several other “Lassie” movies and television series, and his descendants continued to play Lassie in subsequent movies and TV shows. This lunch box features imagery from the 1978 film The Magic of Lassie, starring Mickey Rooney and James Stewart.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1978
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Thermos
ID Number
1988.3160.39
catalog number
1988.3160.39
nonaccession number
1988.3160

Workman's Domed Lunch Box

This domed, aluminum lunch box has two metal snaps for a hinged lid and a collapsible black, plastic handle. There is a wire bail inside for a thermos bottle to fit into the domed lid.
Description (Brief)
This domed, aluminum lunch box has two metal snaps for a hinged lid and a collapsible black, plastic handle. There is a wire bail inside for a thermos bottle to fit into the domed lid. The exterior of the lunch box is silver, and is in the old-fashioned “workman” style.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1950s
ID Number
2001.3087.09
nonaccession number
2001.3087
catalog number
2001.3087.09

Batman and Robin Lunch Box

This steel lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1966. The lunch box features images of the comic strip version of Batman and Robin that ran from 1966-1974.
Description (Brief)
This steel lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1966. The lunch box features images of the comic strip version of Batman and Robin that ran from 1966-1974. These Batman and Robin strips took on the some of the campy nature of television’s Batman, but also introduced some of the series most interesting storylines.
Date made
1966
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.01
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.01

The A-Team Lunch Box

This tin lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1983. This lunch box features the characters from the television series, The A-Team on the exterior.
Description (Brief)
This tin lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1983. This lunch box features the characters from the television series, The A-Team on the exterior. The A-Team ran from 1983-1987 on NBC, and the box shows some of the explosive action that The A-Team was known for.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1983
maker
King Seeley Thermos
ID Number
2004.3009.01
nonaccession number
2004.3009
catalog number
2004.3009.01

Tom Corbett, Space Cadet Lunch Box

This steel lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1954. As one of the earliest metal lunch boxes, it served as a template for future designs with large colorful images of licensed fictional characters.
Description (Brief)
This steel lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1954. As one of the earliest metal lunch boxes, it served as a template for future designs with large colorful images of licensed fictional characters. This box features images from Tom Corbett, Space Cadet, a television show that aired on all four major networks from 1950-1955. Tom Corbett, Space Cadet also appeared as a book series, comic strip, and radio program. The back of the box features a diagram on the solar system, complete with distances from earth.
Date made
1954
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.18.01
catalog number
2003.3070.18.01
nonaccession number
2003.3070

The Lone Ranger Lunch Box

This tin lunch box was made by ADCO Liberty Manufacturing Corporation and has a metal snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible metal handle. The lunch box features drawings from the television series The Lone Ranger on the lid and back, which ran from 1949-1957 on ABC.
Description (Brief)
This tin lunch box was made by ADCO Liberty Manufacturing Corporation and has a metal snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible metal handle. The lunch box features drawings from the television series The Lone Ranger on the lid and back, which ran from 1949-1957 on ABC. The front features the Lone Ranger uttering his trademark phrase “Hi-Yo Silver!,” and the back is both the Lone Ranger and Tonto riding their horses, the Ranger saying “Hi-Yo Silver,” and Tonto saying “Get-em Up Scout!”
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1954
maker
King Seeley Thermos
ADCO Liberty Mfg. Corp.
ID Number
2001.3100.04
nonaccession number
2001.3100
catalog number
2001.3100.04

Roy Rogers Lunch Box

This tin lunch box was made by Thermos in 1954. It has a metal snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible red, plastic handle. The front of the box shows Roy Rogers and Dales Evans with their dog Bullet.
Description (Brief)
This tin lunch box was made by Thermos in 1954. It has a metal snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible red, plastic handle. The front of the box shows Roy Rogers and Dales Evans with their dog Bullet. The back of the box is an action shot of Roy Rogers roping a steer on his horse Trigger, with Dale Evans riding in the background. The Roy Rogers Show ran from 1951-1957, and focused on the cowboy adventures of Roy Rogers on his Double R Bar Ranch.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1954
depicted
Rogers, Roy
Evans, Dale
maker
Thermos
ID Number
2001.3100.14.01
nonaccession number
2001.3100
catalog number
2001.3100.14.01

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century Lunch Box

This tin lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1979. The lunch box features images from the television show Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.
Description (Brief)
This tin lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1979. The lunch box features images from the television show Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. Buck Rogers in the 25th Century ran from 1979-1981 on NBC, and revived the character originally created in 1928 because of the success of Star Wars and other science fiction at this time.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1979
maker
Aladdin Industries
ID Number
2001.3087.27.01
nonaccession number
2001.3087
catalog number
2001.3087.27.01

The Beverly Hillbillies Lunch Box

This tin lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1963. It features colorful action scenes from the television series The Beverly Hillbillies, on the lid, back and the sides.
Description (Brief)
This tin lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1963. It features colorful action scenes from the television series The Beverly Hillbillies, on the lid, back and the sides. The Beverly Hillbillies ran from 1962-1971 on CBS, and was of the most successful shows of the 1960s. It held the number one spot in the Nielsen ratings its first two years, and received multiple Emmy nominations.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1963
maker
Aladdin Industries
ID Number
2001.3099.02
nonaccession number
2001.3099
catalog number
2001.3099.02

Roy Rogers Lunch Box

This steel lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1955. The lunch box features images of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, who starred in The Roy Rogers Show from 1951-1957.
Description (Brief)
This steel lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1955. The lunch box features images of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, who starred in The Roy Rogers Show from 1951-1957. Roy Rogers was Thermos’s first entry into the arena of officially licensed lunch box merchandise, and early Roy Rogers boxes sold over 2 million units.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1955
depicted
Rogers, Roy
Evans, Dale
maker
American Thermos Bottle Company
ID Number
2001.3087.03
nonaccession number
2001.3087
catalog number
2001.3087.03

The Flintstones Lunch Box

This tin lunch box was made by Aladdin industries in 1962. The box has an orange rim, and features images from The Flintstones on the lid, back and sides. The Flintstones ran from 1960-1966 on ABC, and was the longest running prime-time cartoon until The Simpsons.
Description (Brief)
This tin lunch box was made by Aladdin industries in 1962. The box has an orange rim, and features images from The Flintstones on the lid, back and sides. The Flintstones ran from 1960-1966 on ABC, and was the longest running prime-time cartoon until The Simpsons. The Flintstones continued in a variety of television specials, movies, and films after its cancelation, and its other licensed products such as cereal and vitamins remain popular.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1962
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2001.3100.09.01
nonaccession number
2001.3100
catalog number
2001.3100.09.01

Corsage Lunch Box

This tin lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1973. It has a white plastic snap for a hinged lid and a white collapsible, plastic handle.
Description (Brief)
This tin lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1973. It has a white plastic snap for a hinged lid and a white collapsible, plastic handle. The box has a light blue background and white rim, and features of colorful drawings of flowers on the lid, back and sides.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1973
maker
King Seeley Thermos
ID Number
2001.3101.01.01
nonaccession number
2001.3101
catalog number
2001.3101.01.01

Emergency! Lunch Box

This domed steel lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1973. The lunch box features images from the television series, Emergency! of fire and rescue teams in action on all exterior surfaces. Emergency!
Description (Brief)
This domed steel lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1973. The lunch box features images from the television series, Emergency! of fire and rescue teams in action on all exterior surfaces. Emergency! ran from 1972-1978 on NBC, and chronicled the adventures of the Los Angeles County Fire Department. This lunch box shows the stars of the show in action alongside their trusty Engine 51.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1973
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.21.01
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.21.01

Red Sports Lunch Box

This red, rectangular lunch pail is made of steel and has two handles which are attached to each side and pivot up and down. There are white and black illustrations of children playing various activities like football, baseball, roller skating and cycling.
Description (Brief)
This red, rectangular lunch pail is made of steel and has two handles which are attached to each side and pivot up and down. There are white and black illustrations of children playing various activities like football, baseball, roller skating and cycling. The pail was made by Deco Ware around 1931.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1931
maker
Decoware
ID Number
2004.3056.01
nonaccession number
2004.3056
catalog number
2004.3056.01

Peter Pan Lunch Box

This steel lunch box was made by Aladdin in 1969. It has a metal clasp for hinged lid and collapsible white plastic handle. The lunch box features images from Walt Disney’s Peter Pan, made in 1953.
Description (Brief)
This steel lunch box was made by Aladdin in 1969. It has a metal clasp for hinged lid and collapsible white plastic handle. The lunch box features images from Walt Disney’s Peter Pan, made in 1953. One side shows Peter crossing swords with Captain Hook, rescuing Wendy Darling from his evil grasps. The other side shows Peter flying around the island of Neverland with Wendy, John, and Michael Darling.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1969
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.12.01
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.12.01

Picnic Basket Lunch Box

This tin-plated steel lunch box was manufactured by the Ohio Art Company in the 1920s. The lunch box features a removable lid and two pinned metal handles, as well as images of children playing with a cat on the top and sides of the box.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This tin-plated steel lunch box was manufactured by the Ohio Art Company in the 1920s. The lunch box features a removable lid and two pinned metal handles, as well as images of children playing with a cat on the top and sides of the box.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1920s
maker
Ohio Art Company
ID Number
2001.3087.02
nonaccession number
2001.3087
catalog number
2001.3087.02

Super Friends Lunch Box

This steel lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin in 1977. It has a metal snap for its hinged lid and collapsible lavender plastic handle. The lunch box features images from Super Friends, a cartoon that ran from 1973-1986 on ABC featuring DC Comic’s superheroes.
Description (Brief)
This steel lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin in 1977. It has a metal snap for its hinged lid and collapsible lavender plastic handle. The lunch box features images from Super Friends, a cartoon that ran from 1973-1986 on ABC featuring DC Comic’s superheroes. The lid of the box features action images of Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman & Robin. The back has action shots of Flash, Batgirl, and the Green Arrow. One side has Batman, Robin, and Supergirl, while the other side features the Batman villains, Riddler, Catwoman, and the Joker.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1977
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.16
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.16

Blondie Lunch Box

This tin lunch box was made by Thermos in 1969. It has a metal snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible, blue plastic handle. The box features colorful drawings from the cartoon series Blondie on the lid, back and sides.
Description (Brief)
This tin lunch box was made by Thermos in 1969. It has a metal snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible, blue plastic handle. The box features colorful drawings from the cartoon series Blondie on the lid, back and sides. Created in 1930, Blondie was originally the focus of the strip, as a carefree flapper who dated a rich playboy in Dagwood Bumstead. However, when they married, Dagwood’s family disowned him and the strip changed to focus on the day to day life of Dagwood as a middle-class working guy with a loving family.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1969
maker
King Seeley Thermos
ID Number
2001.3101.11
nonaccession number
2001.3101
catalog number
2001.3101.11

Workers Ornamental Lunch Box

This domed, tin lunch box was made around 1950, but has an unknown maker. The box has two metal snaps for a hinged lid and a spiraled wire hinged handle. There is a silver design with red outlined rosettes and green outlined scallops on the lid and sides.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This domed, tin lunch box was made around 1950, but has an unknown maker. The box has two metal snaps for a hinged lid and a spiraled wire hinged handle. There is a silver design with red outlined rosettes and green outlined scallops on the lid and sides.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
ID Number
2001.3101.17
nonaccession number
2001.3101
catalog number
2001.3101.17

Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids Lunch Box

This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1973. The lunch box features the cartoon characters of the television show Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, on all sides of the lunch box.
Description
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1973. The lunch box features the cartoon characters of the television show Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, on all sides of the lunch box. Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids was an animated series created by Bill Cosby that ran from 1972-1985 on CBS.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1973
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2001.3101.03.01
nonaccession number
2001.3101
catalog number
2001.3101.03.01

Green Dome Lunch Box

This metal dome lunch box is painted green and has a collapsible hinged metal handle. The box was made by Thermos in 1941. A five pointed star is molded into each end of the dome lid. A wire bail for the thermos bottle is located inside the lid.
Description (Brief)
This metal dome lunch box is painted green and has a collapsible hinged metal handle. The box was made by Thermos in 1941. A five pointed star is molded into each end of the dome lid. A wire bail for the thermos bottle is located inside the lid. The green painting of this metal lunch box is a departure from the plain metal boxes in earlier years, but still a step away from the licensed images that made lunchboxes a hot selling item.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1941
maker
American Thermos Bottle Company
ID Number
2004.3009.17.01
nonaccession number
2004.3009
catalog number
2004.3009.17.01

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