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.

Topic: Lunch Boxes

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

Emergency! Thermos

This plastic thermos bottle was made by Aladdin in 1973. It has a screw-on red cup lid with handle, but the stopper is missing. The thermos features images from the television series, Emergency!. Emergency!
Description (Brief)
This plastic thermos bottle was made by Aladdin in 1973. It has a screw-on red cup lid with handle, but the stopper is missing. The thermos features images from the television series, Emergency!. Emergency! ran from 1972-1978 on NBC, and chronicled the adventures of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1973
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.21.02
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.21.02

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

The Bionic Woman Thermos Bottle

This plastic thermos bottle was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1978 and has with a light blue plastic, screw-on cup lid and beige plastic screw-on stopper.
Description (Brief)
This plastic thermos bottle was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1978 and has with a light blue plastic, screw-on cup lid and beige plastic screw-on stopper. The bottle features colorful action scenes from the television series, The Bionic Woman on all exterior surfaces.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1978
maker
Aladdin Industries
ID Number
2001.3087.24.02
nonaccession number
2001.3087
catalog number
2001.3087.24.02

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

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century Thermos Bottle

This plastic thermos bottle was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1979, and has an orange plastic, screw-on cup lid and a beige plastic screw-on stopper. The thermos bottle features images from the television show Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.
Description (Brief)
This plastic thermos bottle was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1979, and has an orange plastic, screw-on cup lid and a beige plastic screw-on stopper. The thermos bottle features images from the television show Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. This bottle matches lunch box object #2001.3087.27.02.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1979
maker
Aladdin Industries
ID Number
2001.3087.27.02
nonaccession number
2001.3087
catalog number
2001.3087.27.02

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

Popeye Thermos

This tin, plastic and glass thermos bottle was made by Thermos in 1964. It has a white plastic, screw-on cup lid and a beige and red plastic, screw-on stopper. The bottle features images from the cartoon series, Popeye on the sides.
Description (Brief)
This tin, plastic and glass thermos bottle was made by Thermos in 1964. It has a white plastic, screw-on cup lid and a beige and red plastic, screw-on stopper. The bottle features images from the cartoon series, Popeye on the sides. The bottle is the companion piece to lunch box #2001.3101.12.01.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1964
maker
King Seeley Thermos
ID Number
2001.3101.12.02
nonaccession number
2001.3101
catalog number
2001.3101.12.02

Kiss Lunch Box

This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1977. This box features images of the band Kiss. Kiss was well known for their flamboyant face paint and costumes, with its members Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss taking on alternate personas.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1977. This box features images of the band Kiss. Kiss was well known for their flamboyant face paint and costumes, with its members Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss taking on alternate personas. Stanley was the Starchild, Simmons the Demon, Frehley the Spaceman, and Criss the Catman.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1977
maker
King Seeley Thermos
ID Number
2004.3009.12.01
nonaccession number
2004.3009
catalog number
2004.3009.12.01

Popeye Lunch Box

This tin lunch box was made by Thermos in 1964. The box has a metal snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible, dark brown plastic handle. The box has colorful action scenes and portrait drawings from the cartoon series Popeye on the lid, back and sides.
Description (Brief)
This tin lunch box was made by Thermos in 1964. The box has a metal snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible, dark brown plastic handle. The box has colorful action scenes and portrait drawings from the cartoon series Popeye on the lid, back and sides. Popeye the sailor was originally created as a comic-strip character by E.C. Segar in 1929, and has continued to the present while also appearing in radio, television, and movies.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1964
maker
King Seeley Thermos
ID Number
2001.3101.12.01
nonaccession number
2001.3101
catalog number
2001.3101.12.01

Dr. Seuss Lunch Box

This steel lunch box was made by Aladdin Industries in 1970. The bottle has a metal snap for hinged lid and collapsible white plastic handle. The box is entitled “The World of Dr. Seuss.” It features artwork from a variety of Dr. Seuss books.
Description (Brief)
This steel lunch box was made by Aladdin Industries in 1970. The bottle has a metal snap for hinged lid and collapsible white plastic handle. The box is entitled “The World of Dr. Seuss.” It features artwork from a variety of Dr. Seuss books. The lid features an image from The Cat in the Hat, showing the cat juggling an umbrella, book, fish, and a tea cup, while Thing One and Thing Two prepare to trip the Cat, bringing everything crashing down.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1970
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.05.01
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.05.01

Star Wars: A New Hope Thermos

This square plastic thermos bottle was made by Thermos in 1977. It has a red plastic, screw-on cup lid and a white and red plastic, screw-on stopper. The thermos has a blue background, and features an image of C3-PO and R2-D2 from Star Wars: A New Hope on the front.
Description (Brief)
This square plastic thermos bottle was made by Thermos in 1977. It has a red plastic, screw-on cup lid and a white and red plastic, screw-on stopper. The thermos has a blue background, and features an image of C3-PO and R2-D2 from Star Wars: A New Hope on the front. The bottle is a companion piece to lunch box #2001.3101.18.01.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1977
maker
King Seeley Thermos
ID Number
2001.3101.18.02
nonaccession number
2001.3101
catalog number
2001.3101.18.02

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 (Brief)
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
King Seeley Thermos
ID Number
2004.3009.03.01
nonaccession number
2004.3009
catalog number
2004.3009.03.01

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