Food - Overview
Part of a nation's history lies in what people eat. Artifacts at the Museum document the history of food in the United States from farm machinery to diet fads.
More than 1,300 pieces of stoneware and earthenware show how Americans have stored, prepared, and served food for centuries. Ovens, cookie cutters, kettles, aprons, and ice-cream-making machines are part of the collections, along with home canning jars and winemaking equipment. More than 1,000 objects recently came to the Museum when author and cooking show host Julia Child donated her entire kitchen, from appliances to cookbooks.
Advertising and business records of several food companies—such as Hills Brothers Coffee, Pepsi Cola, and Campbell's Soup—represent the commercial side of the subject
"Food - Overview" showing 211 items.
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Tarter Sauce Ratchet Gun
- Description
- This hand held condiment dispenser is primarily of metal construction, with a tartar sauce canister inserted into the tray. The canister is constructed of white cardboard with green lettering, which says “McDonald’s® Tartar Sauce” with McDonald’s® double arches logo. This canister holds 25 fluid ounces of tartar sauce. The McDonald’s® Corporation was well known for developing their own kitchen tools to create higher rates of standardization between locations and produce food products at greater efficiency. This dispenser would distribute precisely the correct amount of tartar sauce for each Filet-O-Fish™ sandwich.
- The McDonald’s Corporation is one of the most recognizable hamburger restaurants in the United States. As of 2011, the McDonald’s Corporation and franchisees were operating in 119 countries with 1.9 million employees, making it the 4th largest employer in the world.
- In 1940, Richard (Dick) and Maurice (Mac) McDonald opened the first McDonald’s Bar-B-Q drive-in restaurant in San Bernardino, California. In 1948, the brothers redesigned their menu, centering on the 15 cent hamburger. In 1954, Ray Kroc, a Multimixer (milkshake machine) salesman, became interested in the McDonalds brothers’ high volume restaurant. He worked out a deal with the brothers to be their franchising agent and opened the first franchise location in Illinois the following year. Under Kroc’s direction, the company grew to become the giant we know today.
- maker
- Prince Castle
- ID Number
- 1991.0324.02A
- catalog number
- 1991.0324.02A
- accession number
- 1991.0324
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
French Fry Scoop
- Description
- This object is a right-handed, stainless steel French fry scoop with a black plastic handle. On the reverse, writing etched into the scoop says “Bagging Scoop.” This scoop, used by right-handed employees, was designed to dispense a precise amount of French fries to create uniformity between servings in the quickest, most efficient way possible.
- The McDonald’s Corporation is one of the most recognizable hamburger restaurants in the United States. As of 2011, the McDonald’s Corporation and franchisees were operating in 119 countries with 1.9 million employees, making it the 4th largest employer in the world.
- In 1940, Richard (Dick) and Maurice (Mac) McDonald opened the first McDonald’s Bar-B-Q drive-in restaurant in San Bernardino, California. In 1948, the brothers redesigned their menu, centering on the 15 cent hamburger. In 1954, Ray Kroc, a Multimixer (milkshake machine) salesman, became interested in the McDonalds brothers’ high volume restaurant. He worked out a deal with the brothers to be their franchising agent and opened the first franchise location in Illinois the following year. Under Kroc’s direction, the company grew to become the giant we know today.
- date made
- mid 1960s
- maker
- Prince Castle
- ID Number
- 1991.0324.03
- catalog number
- 1991.0324.03
- accession number
- 1991.0324
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
French Fry Scoop
- Description
- This object is a left-handed, stainless steel French fry scoop with a black plastic handle. On the reverse, writing etched into the scoop says “Bagging Scoop.” This scoop, used by left-handed employees, was designed to dispense a precise amount of French fries to create uniformity between servings in the quickest, most efficient way possible.
- The McDonald’s Corporation is one of the most recognizable hamburger restaurants in the United States. As of 2011, the McDonald’s Corporation and franchisees were operating in 119 countries with 1.9 million employees, making it the 4th largest employer in the world.
- In 1940, Richard (Dick) and Maurice (Mac) McDonald opened the first McDonald’s Bar-B-Q drive-in restaurant in San Bernardino, California. In 1948, the brothers redesigned their menu, centering on the 15 cent hamburger. In 1954, Ray Kroc, a Multimixer (milkshake machine) salesman, became interested in the McDonalds brothers’ high volume restaurant. He worked out a deal with the brothers to be their franchising agent and opened the first franchise location in Illinois the following year. Under Kroc’s direction, the company grew to become the giant we know today.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- mid 1960s
- maker
- Prince Castle
- ID Number
- 1991.0324.04
- catalog number
- 1991.0324.04
- accession number
- 1991.0324
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Apple Crate Label
- Description (Brief)
- Labels are an important marketing device. They often go beyond merely identifying contents and are designed to help establish brand distinction and generate customer loyalty for a largely interchangeable product.
- This Revelation brand apple crate label was used by the John A. Eck Company of Chicago, Illinois during the beginning of the 20th century. The lithographed blue label has an illustration of two red apples still on the branch.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- referenced business
- John A. Eck Co.
- ID Number
- 1979.0441.012
- accession number
- 1979.0441
- catalog number
- 1979.0441.012
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Yeast Shipping Crate
- Description (Brief)
- This Magic Yeast shipping crate end is printed with Magic Yeast’s owl and moon trademark on a red background. Magic Yeast was originally formulated and manufactured by Egbert W. Gillett in 1886, and in 1893 he founded the Northwestern Yeast Company to manufacture Magic Yeast and its companion product, Yeast Foam.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- referenced business
- Northwestern Yeast Co.
- ID Number
- 1979.0441.168
- catalog number
- 1979.0441.168
- accession number
- 1979.0441
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Baking Powder Shipping Crate
- Description (Brief)
- This shipping crate end is imprinted with “Calument Baking Powder” text and Native American head trademark. William Wright formulated Calumet Baking Powder in Chicago, Illinois in 1889. The powder was named after Calumet City, a town near Chicago. Calumet was also the Native American term for peace pipe, and Calumet used the profile of a Native American in a headdress as its trademark. Calumet was bought by General Foods bought in 1929.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- referenced business
- Calumet Baking Powder Company
- ID Number
- 1979.0441.172
- catalog number
- 1979.0441.172
- accession number
- 1979.0441
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Salmon Shipping Crate
- Description (Brief)
- This shipping crate side contained Happy-Vale brand pink salmon that was shipped by the Emery Food Company of Chicago, Illinois. The crate contained four dozen one-pound packages of Happy-Vale salmon.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- referenced business
- Emery Food Co.
- ID Number
- 1979.0441.176
- catalog number
- 1979.0441.176
- accession number
- 1979.0441
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Baking Powder Shipping Crate
- Description (Brief)
- This shipping crate side contained KC brand baking powder that was manufactured by the Jaques Manufacturing Company of Chicago, Illinois during the early 20th century. The crate contained two dozen 25 ounce cans of baking powder. The company advertised through a popular recipe booklet called “The Cook’s Book.”
- Location
- Currently not on view
- referenced business
- Jaques Mfg. Co.
- ID Number
- 1979.0441.191
- catalog number
- 1979.0441.191
- accession number
- 1979.0441
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Spinach Shipping Crate
- Description (Brief)
- This shipping crate end is imprinted with the “Libby’s” script of the manufacturing firm Libby, McNeil, and Libby. This crate contained Fancy California Spinach. Archibald McNeil and Charles and Arthur Libby founded the Chicago based company in 1868. Originally specializing in canned meats, Libby’s began to produce canned fruits and vegetables in the early 20th century. Libby, McNeil and Libby was purchased by Nestle in 1971.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- referenced business
- Libby, McNeill & Libby
- ID Number
- 1979.0441.214
- catalog number
- 1979.0441.214
- accession number
- 1979.0441
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Yeast Shipping Crate
- Description (Brief)
- This Magic Yeast shipping crate end is printed with Magic Yeast’s owl and moon trademark. Magic Yeast was formulated and manufactured by Egbert W. Gillett in 1886. In 1893 Gillett founded the Northwestern Yeast Company in Chicago, Illinois, to manufacture Magic Yeast and its companion product, Yeast Foam. In 1929 the company was merged with four others by J.P. Morgan to create Standard Brands.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- referenced business
- Northwestern Yeast Co.
- ID Number
- 1979.0441.222
- catalog number
- 1979.0441.222
- accession number
- 1979.0441
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center