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

Leche Fresca Lunch Box

This steel lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin in 1970. It has a metal snap for hinged lid and collapsible white plastic handle. The lunch box was made for sale in Mexico, and touts the benefits of fresh milk (leche fresca).
Description (Brief)
This steel lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin in 1970. It has a metal snap for hinged lid and collapsible white plastic handle. The lunch box was made for sale in Mexico, and touts the benefits of fresh milk (leche fresca). The box is blue and gray with cartoon images of cows and people.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1970s
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.09.01
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.09.01

The Brady Bunch Lunch Box

This metal lunch box was made by Thermos in 1970. The box has a hinged lid with one silver metal snap and a collapsible red, plastic handle.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was made by Thermos in 1970. The box has a hinged lid with one silver metal snap and a collapsible red, plastic handle. The box features animated scenes of the The Brady Bunch, with the boys and girls each having a side of the box, and an image of their parents marriage with them on either side on the lid. The Brady Bunch ran from 1969-1974 on ABC, but ran in syndication from 1975 onward, becoming ingrained in American pop culture.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1970
maker
King Seeley Thermos
ID Number
2004.3009.28
nonaccession number
2004.3009
catalog number
2004.3009.28

Hopalong Cassidy Thermos

This tin, steel and glass thermos bottle was made by Aladdin Industries in 1950. The bottle has a red plastic, screw-on lid. The bottle has a yellow background and a drawing of Hopalong Cassidy with this horse on the side.
Description (Brief)
This tin, steel and glass thermos bottle was made by Aladdin Industries in 1950. The bottle has a red plastic, screw-on lid. The bottle has a yellow background and a drawing of Hopalong Cassidy with this horse on the side. The thermos is the companion to lunch box #2001.3101.08.01.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1950
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2001.3101.08.02
nonaccession number
2001.3101
catalog number
2001.3101.08.02

Wonder Woman Lunch Box

This vinyl-clad, cardboard-core lunch box was made by Aladdin Industries in 1977. The box has a metal snap for hinged lid and hinged white plastic carrying handle. The lunch box has a light blue background and features an image of Wonder Woman on the lid.
Description (Brief)
This vinyl-clad, cardboard-core lunch box was made by Aladdin Industries in 1977. The box has a metal snap for hinged lid and hinged white plastic carrying handle. The lunch box has a light blue background and features an image of Wonder Woman on the lid. Wonder Woman is a DC Comic superhero, originally created in 1941, and the character was propelled into pop-culture fame through the 1975-1979 television series starring Lynda Carter.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1977
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.26.01
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.26.01

Sesame Street Lunch Box

This tin lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1983. The lunch box features colorful action scenes and characters from the television series Sesame Street. Sesame Street was created in 1969 and continues to this day.
Description (Brief)
This tin lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1983. The lunch box features colorful action scenes and characters from the television series Sesame Street. Sesame Street was created in 1969 and continues to this day. This lunchbox features Bert and Ernie, with Ernie’s famous rubber ducky, both walking in the rain.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1983
maker
Aladdin Thermos Company
ID Number
2001.3087.33
nonaccession number
2001.3087
catalog number
2001.3087.33

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

Disco Fever Thermos

This square plastic thermos bottle has a screw-on, blue plastic cup lid and a screw-on, white plastic stopper with movable yellow pouring spout.
Description (Brief)
This square plastic thermos bottle has a screw-on, blue plastic cup lid and a screw-on, white plastic stopper with movable yellow pouring spout. The bottle is the companion piece to object number 2001.3100.05.01, and features an image of the couple dancing and the text “Disco Fever.”
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1980
maker
King Seeley Thermos
ID Number
2001.3100.05.02
nonaccession number
2001.3100
catalog number
2001.3100.05.02

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

Superman Thermos

This plastic thermos bottle was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1978 and has a red plastic, screw-on cup lid and a beige plastic, screw-on stopper with a brown and white plastic pouring spout.
Description (Brief)
This plastic thermos bottle was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1978 and has a red plastic, screw-on cup lid and a beige plastic, screw-on stopper with a brown and white plastic pouring spout. The bottle features colorful action scenes from the movie version of Superman all exterior surfaces. Matches Superman lunch box object #2001.3087.26.01.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1978
maker
Aladdin Industries
ID Number
2001.3087.26.02
nonaccession number
2001.3087
catalog number
2001.3087.26.02

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

The Green Hornet Thermos

This tin, glass and plastic thermos bottle has a screw-on, white plastic cup lid and a beige and red, screw-on stopper. The bottle is the companion piece to object number 2001.3100.06.01.
Description (Brief)
This tin, glass and plastic thermos bottle has a screw-on, white plastic cup lid and a beige and red, screw-on stopper. The bottle is the companion piece to object number 2001.3100.06.01. The bottle features the same imagery from the front of the lunch box, showing an action scene from the The Green Hornet television show.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1967
maker
King Seeley Thermos
ID Number
2001.3100.06.02
nonaccession number
2001.3100
catalog number
2001.3100.06.02

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

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