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

Porky's Lunch Wagon Lunch Box

This metal dome lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1959. The front of the box depicts Porky Pig’s lunch wagon serving food to other Looney Toons characters like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Speedy Gonzales, and Elmer Fudd.
Description (Brief)
This metal dome lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1959. The front of the box depicts Porky Pig’s lunch wagon serving food to other Looney Toons characters like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Speedy Gonzales, and Elmer Fudd. The bottom of the box shows Bugs Bunny’s opening his own Burgers and Malts shop and stealing an enraged Porky’s Looney Toon customers by undercutting his price from a dime to a nickel.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1959
maker
American Thermos Products Co.
ID Number
2004.3009.26
nonaccession number
2004.3009
catalog number
2004.3009.26

Return of the Jedi

This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1983. The lunch box has a blue rim and animated scenes from the movie Star Wars: Return of the Jedi on all sides. Star Wars: Return of the Jedi was released in 1983 as the final film in the original Star Wars trilogy.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1983. The lunch box has a blue rim and animated scenes from the movie Star Wars: Return of the Jedi on all sides. Star Wars: Return of the Jedi was released in 1983 as the final film in the original Star Wars trilogy. The box features images of the half-constructed Death Star, a Star Destroyer, and Darth Vader’s face on one side, while the reverse side has a picture of Luke Skywalker and a Gamorrean guard.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1983
maker
King Seeley Thermos
ID Number
2004.3009.10.01
nonaccession number
2004.3009
catalog number
2004.3009.10.01

Julia Lunch Box

This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1969. The lunch box features imagery from Diahann Carroll’s hit TV series, Julia which aired from 1968-1971 on NBC.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1969. The lunch box features imagery from Diahann Carroll’s hit TV series, Julia which aired from 1968-1971 on NBC. Julia was applauded for its depiction of African-American life in a suburban setting, and this lunch box is notable for being the first depiction of a black woman on a lunch box.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1969
maker
King Seeley Thermos
ID Number
2004.3009.30.01
nonaccession number
2004.3009
catalog number
2004.3009.30.01

Folding Lunch Box

This tin-plated iron lunch box was patented in 1871 by Charles C. Moore. The box folds in flat on itself.
Description (Brief)
This tin-plated iron lunch box was patented in 1871 by Charles C. Moore. The box folds in flat on itself. The lunch box has a black and red plaid exterior, and the top is adorned with the text “Moore’s Patented Folding Lunch Box.” About three inches tall in its box form; it collapses down to less than half an inch when folded.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1880s
patent date
1871-06-06
patentee
Moore, Charles C.
ID Number
2001.3087.01
nonaccession number
2001.3087
catalog number
2001.3087.01
patent number
115764

Bobby Sherman Lunch Box

This metal lunchbox was manufactured by Thermos in 1972. The lunch box has a color photo illustration of Bobby Sherman on the front and a biography on the back. This lunch box is an interesting example of marketing a teenage heartthrob to young girls.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunchbox was manufactured by Thermos in 1972. The lunch box has a color photo illustration of Bobby Sherman on the front and a biography on the back. This lunch box is an interesting example of marketing a teenage heartthrob to young girls. The lunch box is covered with hearts, and Bobby’s vital stats are listed so his adoring fans could get to know him better.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1972
maker
King Seeley Thermos
ID Number
2004.3009.08
nonaccession number
2004.3009
catalog number
2004.3009.08

Steve Canyon Lunch Box

This steel lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1959. This lunch box features images of Steve Canyon, which was created by Milton Caniff as a comic strip and ran from 1947-1988.
Description (Brief)
This steel lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1959. This lunch box features images of Steve Canyon, which was created by Milton Caniff as a comic strip and ran from 1947-1988. Steve Canyon served as an Air Force pilot for much of the strip, and the lunch box has images of several Air Force airplanes on the exterior.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1959
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.15.01
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.15.01

Disco Lunch Box

This steel lunch box was made by Aladdin Industries in 1978. It has a metal clasp for hinged lid and collapsible orange plastic handle. The box has a maroon background with an orange rim, and pictures of images of couples dancing to disco on all exterior surfaces.
Description (Brief)
This steel lunch box was made by Aladdin Industries in 1978. It has a metal clasp for hinged lid and collapsible orange plastic handle. The box has a maroon background with an orange rim, and pictures of images of couples dancing to disco on all exterior surfaces. This box tries to take advantage of the Disco dance craze popular in American in the late 19070s, which was at its peak in 1978, before the Chicago White Sox’s infamous Disco Demolition Night set off a backlash that made disco decidedly uncool.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1978
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.04.01
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.04.01

Disney School Bus Dome Lunch Box

This domed, tin lunch box was made by Aladdin Industries in 1961. It has two metal snaps for a hinged lid and a collapsible, yellow plastic handle.
Description (Brief)
This domed, tin lunch box was made by Aladdin Industries in 1961. It has two metal snaps for a hinged lid and a collapsible, yellow plastic handle. The box is in the shape of a school bus , and colorful portraits of Disney characters like Minnie, Mickey, Goofy, Pinocchio, and Huey, Dewey, and Louie Duck line the windows of the bus. Its eye-catching appearance made it the most popular lunch box ever, selling over 9 million units.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1961
referenced
Walt Disney Company
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2001.3101.15.01
nonaccession number
2001.3101
catalog number
2001.3101.15.01

Pinnochio Lunch Box

This steel lunch box was made by Aladdin Industries in 1971. It has a metal snap for hinged lid and collapsible red plastic handle. The box features raised images from Walt Disney’s 1940 film Pinocchio on all sides.
Description (Brief)
This steel lunch box was made by Aladdin Industries in 1971. It has a metal snap for hinged lid and collapsible red plastic handle. The box features raised images from Walt Disney’s 1940 film Pinocchio on all sides. The lid features an image of Pinocchio going to school with Jiminy Cricket giving chase, while the back shows the climactic scene of Pinocchio and Geppetto racing away from the whale Monstro, having just escaped from his belly.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1971
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.13.01
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.13.01

The A-Team Lunch Box

This tin lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1985. 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 1985. 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
1985
maker
Thermos Company
ID Number
2001.3087.36
nonaccession number
2001.3087
catalog number
2001.3087.36

Fireball XL5 Lunch Box

This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1964. It features images from the television show Fireball XL5, which ran on NBC from 1963-1965.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1964. It features images from the television show Fireball XL5, which ran on NBC from 1963-1965. Fireball XL5 was filmed used Supermarionation, a combination of animation and puppetry that was made famous by the show’s creators, Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. Fireball XL5 was another television show that took advantage of the public’s fascination with space, as does this lunch box, with its various images of rockets and space ships.
Date made
1964
maker
King Seeley Thermos
ID Number
2004.3009.13.01
nonaccession number
2004.3009
catalog number
2004.3009.13.01

Skateboarders Lunch Box

This tin lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1978. The lunch box is entitled, "The Skateboarder," and features colorful scenes of skateboarders in action on all exterior surfaces.
Description (Brief)
This tin lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1978. The lunch box is entitled, "The Skateboarder," and features colorful scenes of skateboarders in action on all exterior surfaces. This lunch box was one of the few that did not feature licensed images from television, and instead tried to cash in on the growing popularity of skateboarding.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1978
maker
Aladdin Industries
ID Number
2001.3087.25
nonaccession number
2001.3087
catalog number
2001.3087.25

El Chapulin Colorado Lunch Box

This tin lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1979. The lunch box has a red and blue design depicting scenes from the television series, El Chapulin Colorado. El Chapulin Colorado (The Red Grasshopper) ran from 1972-1979 on the Mexican station Televisa.
Description (Brief)
This tin lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1979. The lunch box has a red and blue design depicting scenes from the television series, El Chapulin Colorado. El Chapulin Colorado (The Red Grasshopper) ran from 1972-1979 on the Mexican station Televisa. Originally created in Mexico, the show was popular in Latin America and the United Sates, and is credited as inspiring the character of Bumblebee Man from the Simpsons.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1979
maker
Aladdin Industries
ID Number
2001.3087.28
nonaccession number
2001.3087
catalog number
2001.3087.28

Star Trek: The Motion Picture Lunch Box

This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1979. The lunch box features cartoon images of Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock on the front lid. The back shows the image of Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, and Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy inside the USS Enterprise.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1979. The lunch box features cartoon images of Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock on the front lid. The back shows the image of Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, and Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy inside the USS Enterprise. Various show scenes along sides. White plastic handle and snap. This lunch box was based on Star Trek: The Motion Picture, the first Star Trek feature film released in 1979.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1979
maker
King Seeley Thermos
ID Number
2001.3099.08
nonaccession number
2001.3099
catalog number
2001.3099.08

Luggage Lunch Box

This steel lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1957. It features a metal snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible metal handle, and the exterior design simulates a brown leather suitcase.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This steel lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1957. It features a metal snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible metal handle, and the exterior design simulates a brown leather suitcase.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1957
maker
American Thermos Bottle Company
ID Number
2001.3087.04
nonaccession number
2001.3087
catalog number
2001.3087.04

National Football League Lunch Box

This tin lunch box was manufactured by King Seeley Thermos in 1978. This National Football League lunchbox has a white plastic snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible white, plastic handle.
Description (Brief)
This tin lunch box was manufactured by King Seeley Thermos in 1978. This National Football League lunchbox has a white plastic snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible white, plastic handle. This NFL box features images of several football players, including Tony Dorsett, Franco Harris, and Pat Haden on a stylized background.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1978
maker
King Seeley Thermos
ID Number
2001.3087.23
nonaccession number
2001.3087
catalog number
2001.3087.23

Pets N' Pals Lunch Box

This steel lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1962. The lunch box has a metal snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible red, plastic handle. This pets n’ pals lunch box features an image of the collie Lassie on one side, and the stallion Black Beauty on the other.
Description (Brief)
This steel lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1962. The lunch box has a metal snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible red, plastic handle. This pets n’ pals lunch box features an image of the collie Lassie on one side, and the stallion Black Beauty on the other.
Date made
1962
maker
Thermos
ID Number
2001.3087.11.01
nonaccession number
2001.3087
catalog number
2001.3087.11.01

Satellite Lunch Box

The Soviet launch of the Sputnik satellite in late 1957 sparked interest in the United States in science education even among elementary school children. In 1958, King Seeley Thermos produced this imaginative box evoking space travel and landings on distant moons and planets.
Description (Brief)
The Soviet launch of the Sputnik satellite in late 1957 sparked interest in the United States in science education even among elementary school children. In 1958, King Seeley Thermos produced this imaginative box evoking space travel and landings on distant moons and planets. Children provided a receptive audience to this imaginary yet hopeful view of scientific achievement in the early years of the space race. This is one of the few pop culture lunch boxes from the late 1950s not designed around a television show.
Description
The Soviet launch of the Sputnik satellite in late 1957 sparked interest in the United States in science education even among elementary school children. In 1958, King Seeley Thermos produced this imaginative box evoking space travel and landings on distant moons and planets. Children provided a receptive audience to this imaginary yet hopeful view of scientific achievement in the early years of the space race. This is one of the few pop culture lunch boxes from the late 1950s not designed around a television show.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1957
1958
maker
American Thermos Products Co.
ID Number
2001.3087.06.01
nonaccession number
2001.3087
catalog number
2001.3087.06.01

Brave Eagle Lunch Box

This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1957. This lunch box features images from the television show Brave Eagle. The sides feature colorful depictions of Indians hunting buffalo and in combat with each other.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1957. This lunch box features images from the television show Brave Eagle. The sides feature colorful depictions of Indians hunting buffalo and in combat with each other. Brave Eagle was a short-lived TV series, airing one season in 1955-1956 on CBS. The show was notable because its main protagonist was Native American, and featured scenes of the West from the Native American point of view.
Date made
1957
maker
King Seeley Thermos
ID Number
2004.3009.06.01
nonaccession number
2004.3009
catalog number
2004.3009.06.01

Blue Box Lunch Box

This metal lunch box was made by Thermos in 1927. It was painted blue in a faux leather pattern with a gold finished interior. The box has a leather handle, a single metal snap and vent holes.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was made by Thermos in 1927. It was painted blue in a faux leather pattern with a gold finished interior. The box has a leather handle, a single metal snap and vent holes.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1927
maker
American Thermos Bottle Company
ID Number
2004.3009.15.01
nonaccession number
2004.3009
catalog number
2004.3009.15.01

Lawman Lunch Box

This tin lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1961. It has a metal snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible red, plastic handle. The box features images from the television series Lawman, which ran from 1958-1962 on ABC.
Description (Brief)
This tin lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1961. It has a metal snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible red, plastic handle. The box features images from the television series Lawman, which ran from 1958-1962 on ABC. The show focused on the town of Laramie, Wyoming, and the action that happened around the Birdcage Saloon. Produced by Warner Brothers, The Lawman had several crossover episode with other Warner Brother westerns like The Maverick and Cheyenne.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1961
depicted
Russell, John
Brown, Peter
maker
King Seeley Thermos
ID Number
2001.3100.11.01
nonaccession number
2001.3100
catalog number
2001.3100.11.01

Hee Haw Lunch Box

This tin lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1970. The lunch box has a metal snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible red, plastic handle. The exterior features images from the country variety television show Hee Haw, on the lid, back and sides.
Description (Brief)
This tin lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1970. The lunch box has a metal snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible red, plastic handle. The exterior features images from the country variety television show Hee Haw, on the lid, back and sides. Hee Haw ran from 1969-1992, with the first two years on CBS, and the rest in syndication.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1970
maker
King Seeley Thermos
ID Number
2001.3099.04
nonaccession number
2001.3099
catalog number
2001.3099.04

Mork & Mindy Lunch Box

This metal lunch box was made by Thermos in 1980. It has a yellow plastic snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible, yellow plastic handle. The box is decorated with colorful animated scenes of the television show Mork & Mindy.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was made by Thermos in 1980. It has a yellow plastic snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible, yellow plastic handle. The box is decorated with colorful animated scenes of the television show Mork & Mindy. Mork & Mindy was a spinoff of Happy Days and helped launch Robin Williams to stardom. It ran from 1978-1982 on ABC and featured the adventures of the alien Mork living alongside a human companion Mindy, trying to learn the ways of humans.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1980
maker
King Seeley Thermos
ID Number
2004.3009.29
nonaccession number
2004.3009
catalog number
2004.3009.29

Psychedelic Lunch Box

This domed steel lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1969. This lunch box features a psychedelic pattern of swirling orange, red, pink and yellow.
Description (Brief)
This domed steel lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1969. This lunch box features a psychedelic pattern of swirling orange, red, pink and yellow. The wild design aesthetic is representative of the 1960’s ethos and evokes other sixties motifs like tie-dye and lava lamps.
Date made
1969
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.23.01
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.23.01

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