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

The Flying Nun Lunch Box

This steel lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1968.The lunch box features images from the television show The Flying Nun that ran from 1967-1970 on ABC.
Description (Brief)
This steel lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1968.The lunch box features images from the television show The Flying Nun that ran from 1967-1970 on ABC. The Flying Nun starred Sally Fields as Sister Bertrille, whose flying ability was explained by saying "When lift plus thrust is greater than load plus drag, anything can fly." Due to her small stature and heavily starched cornette, Sister Bertrille could catch a breeze and fly, helping her to solve the problem of the episode, but also causing a few along the way!
Date made
1968
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.06.01
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.06.01

Rambo Lunch Box

This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1985. The lunch box depicts Sylvester Stallone as Rambo on front and rear, and has camouflage print on sides.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1985. The lunch box depicts Sylvester Stallone as Rambo on front and rear, and has camouflage print on sides. This Rambo lunch box has the distinction of being the last metal lunch box produced before safety and economic concerns caused manufacturers to switch to plastic alternatives.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1985
maker
Thermos
ID Number
2001.3099.06
nonaccession number
2001.3099
catalog number
2001.3099.06

Barbie Lunch Box

This tin lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in the 1990s. The lunch box is licensed by Barbie, although the typical Barbie image does not appear on the box. Pink, green and yellow drawings of Barbie dolls are on the front and back and floral patterns are on the lid and back.
Description (Brief)
This tin lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in the 1990s. The lunch box is licensed by Barbie, although the typical Barbie image does not appear on the box. Pink, green and yellow drawings of Barbie dolls are on the front and back and floral patterns are on the lid and back. Barbie was originally invented in 1959 by Ruth Handler, and the Mattel Corporation has sold over a billion Barbie dolls world wide since that time.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1990s
maker
Thermos Company
ID Number
2001.3087.37.01
nonaccession number
2001.3087
catalog number
2001.3087.37.01

The Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan Lunch Box

This tin lunch box was made by Thermos in 1973. It has a white plastic snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible, yellow plastic handle.
Description (Brief)
This tin lunch box was made by Thermos in 1973. It has a white plastic snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible, yellow plastic handle. The box features colorful action scenes and portrait drawings from the cartoon series The Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan on the lid, back and sides. The Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan ran for one season on CBS in 1972. The show focused on Mr. Chan solving crimes around the world with the help of his ten children and dog.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1973
maker
King Seeley Thermos
ID Number
2001.3101.13.01
nonaccession number
2001.3101
catalog number
2001.3101.13.01

Astro Space Lunch Box

This domed, tin lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1960. The lunch box has two metal snaps for a hinged lid and a collapsible red plastic handle.
Description (Brief)
This domed, tin lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1960. The lunch box has two metal snaps for a hinged lid and a collapsible red plastic handle. The lunch box is covered with images of space scenes, including lunar exploration, satellites, and spaceships.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1960
maker
American Thermos Products Co.
ID Number
2001.3100.08
nonaccession number
2001.3100
catalog number
2001.3100.08

Wags and Whiskers Lunch Box

This tin lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1978. It has a yellow plastic snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible yellow, plastic handle.
Description (Brief)
This tin lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1978. It has a yellow plastic snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible yellow, plastic handle. The lunch box features blue, white, yellow and green designs of colorful drawings of a dog and a cat playing together in cute ways.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1978
maker
King Seeley Thermos
ID Number
2001.3100.15.01
nonaccession number
2001.3100
catalog number
2001.3100.15.01

Daniel Boone Lunch Box

This steel lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1956. The lunch box features an image of Daniel Boone fighting a group of Native Americans on one side, and shooting a charging bear on the other.
Description (Brief)
This steel lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1956. The lunch box features an image of Daniel Boone fighting a group of Native Americans on one side, and shooting a charging bear on the other. Both Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett became very popular characters in the mid-20th century due to their television shows, and coonskin caps became a rage among young children.
Date made
1956
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.03.01
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.03.01

Johnny Lightning Lunch Box

This steel lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1970. The lunch box has a metal snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible green, plastic handle. Johnny Lightning was a die cast model car brand manufactured from 1969-1971 and 1994-present.
Description (Brief)
This steel lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1970. The lunch box has a metal snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible green, plastic handle. Johnny Lightning was a die cast model car brand manufactured from 1969-1971 and 1994-present. There is an illustrated National Safety Council “Safety First” message printed in black and white on the interior lid.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1970
maker
Aladdin Industries Incorporated
ID Number
2001.3087.15
nonaccession number
2001.3087
catalog number
2001.3087.15

Marvel Comic's Super Heroes Lunch Box

This steel lunch box was made by Aladdin in 1976. It has a metal snap for hinged lid and collapsible black plastic handle. The box features a collection of Marvel superheroes. The lid shows the Fantastic Four, while the back has images of Thor, Spider-Man, and Captain America.
Description (Brief)
This steel lunch box was made by Aladdin in 1976. It has a metal snap for hinged lid and collapsible black plastic handle. The box features a collection of Marvel superheroes. The lid shows the Fantastic Four, while the back has images of Thor, Spider-Man, and Captain America. One side shows three images of Bruce Banner in the act of transforming into the Hulk, while the other side shows Daredevil, the Scarlet Witch, and Yellowjacket. The multitude of characters and colors made this a very popular box.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1976
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.11.01
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.11.01

The Bionic Woman Lunch Box

This tin lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1977. The Bionic Woman lunch box features images from the television show, which aired one season from 1976-1977 on ABC and one season 1977-1978 on NBC.
Description (Brief)
This tin lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1977. The Bionic Woman lunch box features images from the television show, which aired one season from 1976-1977 on ABC and one season 1977-1978 on NBC. The Bionic Woman was a spin-off of the more popular The Six Million Dollar Man, and starred Lindsay Wagner as Jaime Sommers.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1977
maker
Aladdin Industries
ID Number
2001.3087.24.01
nonaccession number
2001.3087
catalog number
2001.3087.24.01

Pop Art Bread Lunch Box

This domed, tin lunch box was made by Aladdin in 1968. It has two metal snaps on a hinged lid and a collapsible, yellow plastic handle. The box has a brilliant pop art design, taking the form of a sliced loaf of bread.
Description (Brief)
This domed, tin lunch box was made by Aladdin in 1968. It has two metal snaps on a hinged lid and a collapsible, yellow plastic handle. The box has a brilliant pop art design, taking the form of a sliced loaf of bread.
Date made
1968
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2001.3101.16
nonaccession number
2001.3101
catalog number
2001.3101.16

Wagon Train Lunch Box

This steel lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1964. The lunch box has a metal snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible red, plastic handle.
Description (Brief)
This steel lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1964. The lunch box has a metal snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible red, plastic handle. The lunch box features imagery from the television show Wagon Train, which ran from 1957-1962 on NBC and from 1962-1965 on ABC.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1964
maker
King Seeley Thermos Company
ID Number
2001.3087.12
nonaccession number
2001.3087
catalog number
2001.3087.12

Zorro Lunch Box

This tin lunch box was made by Aladdin in 1966. It has a metal snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible, dark brown plastic handle. The box has colorful action scenes from Zorro on the lid, back and sides.
Description (Brief)
This tin lunch box was made by Aladdin in 1966. It has a metal snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible, dark brown plastic handle. The box has colorful action scenes from Zorro on the lid, back and sides. There is a "Safety First" message printed in black on the interior of the lid. This artwork is from the Disney version of Zorro that ran from 1957-1959 on ABC.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1966
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2001.3101.09.01
nonaccession number
2001.3101
catalog number
2001.3101.09.01

Astro Space Dome Lunch Box

This domed, tin lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1960. The lunch box has two metal snaps for a hinged lid and a collapsible red plastic handle.
Description (Brief)
This domed, tin lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1960. The lunch box has two metal snaps for a hinged lid and a collapsible red plastic handle. The lunch box is covered with images of space scenes, including lunar exploration, satellites, and spaceships.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1960
maker
King Seeley Thermos
ID Number
2004.3009.20
nonaccession number
2004.3009
catalog number
2004.3009.20

Gunsmoke Lunch Box

This steel lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1972. The lunch box has a metal snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible brown, plastic handle. The exterior features scenes from the television series Gunsmoke on the lid and bottom.
Description (Brief)
This steel lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1972. The lunch box has a metal snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible brown, plastic handle. The exterior features scenes from the television series Gunsmoke on the lid and bottom. Gunsmoke was a radio show from 1952-1961, and ran from 1955-1975 on CBS, and remains the United States' longest-running prime time, live-action hour long drama with 635 episodes.
Date made
1972
maker
Aladdin Industries Incorporated
ID Number
2001.3087.08
nonaccession number
2001.3087
catalog number
2001.3087.08

Jonathan Livingston Seagull Lunch Box

This steel lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1973. This lunch box has images that are based on Jonathan Livingston Seagull, a 1970 novel by Richard Bach.
Description (Brief)
This steel lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1973. This lunch box has images that are based on Jonathan Livingston Seagull, a 1970 novel by Richard Bach. Jonathan Livingston Seagull was a very popular book in the United Sates, and it spent 38 weeks on top of the New York Times Bestseller list. The box features a blue and white design depicting white seagulls flying over a rugged ocean coastline.
Date made
1973
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2001.3087.21.01
nonaccession number
2001.3087
catalog number
2001.3087.21.01

Joe Palooka Lunch Box

This tin lunch box was manufactured by Cheinco in 1948. The box has a removable lid and two blue and brown, hinged metal handles. The box features colorful action scenes and portrait drawings from the cartoon series, "Joe Palooka," on the lid and sides.
Description (Brief)
This tin lunch box was manufactured by Cheinco in 1948. The box has a removable lid and two blue and brown, hinged metal handles. The box features colorful action scenes and portrait drawings from the cartoon series, "Joe Palooka," on the lid and sides. The lid describes the box as a “Joe Palooka Lunch Kit.” Joe Palooka was created in 1930 by Ham Fisher, and ran as a strip until 1984. Joe Palooka was also made into a radio series, feature films, shots, and television series.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1948
maker
Cheinco, Chein Industries
ID Number
2001.3100.01
nonaccession number
2001.3100
catalog number
2001.3100.01

Dome Lunch Box

This aluminum metal, dome lunch box was made by Thermos in the 1940s. The box has a steel handle, two snap closures, and vent holes. The box has a star stamped on the side of the lid.
Description (Brief)
This aluminum metal, dome lunch box was made by Thermos in the 1940s. The box has a steel handle, two snap closures, and vent holes. The box has a star stamped on the side of the lid. This box is typical of the metal domed boxes that were used before licensed boxes became commonplace.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1940s
maker
American Thermos Bottle Company
ID Number
2004.3009.18
nonaccession number
2004.3009
catalog number
2004.3009.18

Star Wars: A New Hope Lunch Box

This tin lunch box was made by Thermos in 1977. The box has a red plastic snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible red, plastic handle. The box has art from the movie Star Wars.
Description (Brief)
This tin lunch box was made by Thermos in 1977. The box has a red plastic snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible red, plastic handle. The box has art from the movie Star Wars. The lid and sides are a starry black background, and the lid has an image of a TIE Fighter shooting at an X-Wing. The back shows Luke Skywalker, Ben Kenobi, and C3P0 in their landspeeder being stopped by storm troopers heading into Mos Eisley.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1977
maker
King Seeley Thermos
ID Number
2001.3101.18.01
nonaccession number
2001.3101
catalog number
2001.3101.18.01

Aladdin Lunch Box

This hard plastic lunch box was made by Aladdin in 1993. It has a plastic snap for hinged lid and hinged plastic carrying handle. The box is a sparkling blue with an image of Aladdin first freeing the Genie from his lamp in the 1992 Disney movie Aladdin on the lid.
Description (Brief)
This hard plastic lunch box was made by Aladdin in 1993. It has a plastic snap for hinged lid and hinged plastic carrying handle. The box is a sparkling blue with an image of Aladdin first freeing the Genie from his lamp in the 1992 Disney movie Aladdin on the lid. Concerned mothers feared metal lunch boxes could be used as playground weapons, so metal boxes stopped being manufactured in 1985. As such, this box was made from plastic, and its image is papered on.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1993
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.27.01
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.27.01

Tartan Dome Lunch Box

This domed, steel, lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1958. The lunch box has two metal snaps for a hinged lid and a collapsible red, plastic handle. The exterior design is a red, white and black tartan design.
Description (Brief)
This domed, steel, lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1958. The lunch box has two metal snaps for a hinged lid and a collapsible red, plastic handle. The exterior design is a red, white and black tartan design.
Date made
1958
maker
American Thermos Products Co.
ID Number
2001.3087.07
nonaccession number
2001.3087
catalog number
2001.3087.07

Annie Oakley Lunch Box

This tin lunch box was made by Aladdin in 1965. It has a metal snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible, blue plastic handle. The box features an image of Annie Oakley firing her revolver while riding a bucking horse on the lid and back.
Description (Brief)
This tin lunch box was made by Aladdin in 1965. It has a metal snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible, blue plastic handle. The box features an image of Annie Oakley firing her revolver while riding a bucking horse on the lid and back. Drawings of a gun belt with ammunition are depicted on the sides. Annie Oakley was known as the surest shot in the Wild West, and toured with Buffalo Bill, and this television show fictionalized her life with her brother, Tagg.
Date made
1956
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2001.3101.05.01
nonaccession number
2001.3101
catalog number
2001.3101.05.01

Pinky and the Brain Lunch Box

This insulated soft fabric lunch box was made by Aladdin in 1996. It has two red fabric carrying handles and red closing zipper for lid. The box has a purple background with colorful dots, and cartoon images of Pinky and the Brain.
Description (Brief)
This insulated soft fabric lunch box was made by Aladdin in 1996. It has two red fabric carrying handles and red closing zipper for lid. The box has a purple background with colorful dots, and cartoon images of Pinky and the Brain. Pinky and the Brain was an animated cartoon that was originally part of Animaniacs on The WB, and it ran from 1995-2001. Because of the fear of kids using metal lunch boxes as weapons, many lunch boxes during the 90’s were made of insulated fabric like this box.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1996
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.30.01
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.30.01

Debutante Lunch Box

This top-opening square metal lunch box was made by Aladdin Industries in 1958. It has a metal snap for hinged lid and a hinged peach plastic handle.
Description (Brief)
This top-opening square metal lunch box was made by Aladdin Industries in 1958. It has a metal snap for hinged lid and a hinged peach plastic handle. The lunch box has a peach and beige faux basket weave pattern lithographed on exterior, while the interior has white butterfly pattern on peach field.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1958
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.19.01
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.19.01

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.