Popular Entertainment

Elvis Presley Record

This Museum's popular entertainment collections hold some of the Smithsonian's most beloved artifacts. The ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz reside here, along with the Muppet character Kermit the Frog, and props from popular television series such as M*A*S*H and All in the Family. But as in many of the Museum's collections, the best-known objects are a small part of the story.

The collection also encompasses many other artifacts of 19th- and 20th-century commercial theater, film, radio, and TV—some 50,000 sound recordings dating back to 1903; posters, publicity stills, and programs from films and performances; puppets; numerous items from World's Fairs from 1851 to 1992; and audiovisual materials on Groucho Marx, to name only a few.

Resource Type: Lunchboxes

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

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

Kung Fu Lunch Box

This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1974. The lunch box features imagery from David Carridine’s TV series, Kung Fu which ran from 1972-1975 on ABC.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1974. The lunch box features imagery from David Carridine’s TV series, Kung Fu which ran from 1972-1975 on ABC.
Date made
1974
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Thermos
ID Number
1988.3160.45
nonaccession number
1988.3160
catalog number
1988.3160.45

Miss America Lunch Box

This metal lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1972. The lunch box features imagery based on the annually televised Miss America Pageant.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1972. The lunch box features imagery based on the annually televised Miss America Pageant. Originally a beauty pageant when it began in 1921, the Miss America Pageant became a “scholarship pageant” over the years, offering its first scholastic financial aid in 1945. The Miss America Pageant is now the world’s largest provider of scholarships for young women, making $45 million dollars available in scholarships on a yearly basis.
Location
Currently on loan
Date made
1972
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
1988.3160.63
nonaccession number
1988.3160
catalog number
1988.3160.63

Urkel Lunch Box

This hard red plastic lunch box was made by Aladdin in 1991. It has a hinged handle and closing snap for hinged lid. The lunch box features an image of Steve Urkel from the show Family Matters on lid.
Description (Brief)
This hard red plastic lunch box was made by Aladdin in 1991. It has a hinged handle and closing snap for hinged lid. The lunch box features an image of Steve Urkel from the show Family Matters on lid. Family Matters ran from 1989-1997 on ABC and 1997-1998 on CBS, mainly part of ABC’s TGIF block of programming. With his catchphrase “Did I do that?” and distinctive laugh, Urkel became the breakout star of the show and is the star of this box.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1991
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.28.01
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.28.01

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

Woody Woodpecker Lunch Box

This steel lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1971. This lunch box features images from the television show Woody Woodpecker, including Knothead and Splinter, Woody’s nephew and niece.
Description (Brief)
This steel lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1971. This lunch box features images from the television show Woody Woodpecker, including Knothead and Splinter, Woody’s nephew and niece. Woody has been a fixture in cartoons and movies since his creation in 1940, and has his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Date made
1971
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2001.3087.19
nonaccession number
2001.3087
catalog number
2001.3087.19

Hopalong Cassidy Lunch Box

This heavy-gauge steel lunch box was made by Aladdin Industries in 1950. It was the first lunch box to bear a licensed image, and helped Aladdin Industries launch a new product line that would last for decades.
Description (Brief)
This heavy-gauge steel lunch box was made by Aladdin Industries in 1950. It was the first lunch box to bear a licensed image, and helped Aladdin Industries launch a new product line that would last for decades. Hopalong Cassidy was a TV, radio, and comic series in 1950, and the frenzy for Hopalong Cassidy merchandise led to more than 100 companies manufacturing more than $70 million dollars worth of Hopalong Cassidy products, earning the star William Boyd more than $800,000 in 1950 alone.
Date made
1950
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.07
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.07

Campus Queen Lunch Box

This Campus Queen steel lunch box was manufactured by King Seeley Thermos Company in 1967. This Campus Queen lunch box features a magnetic game kit on the back, taking you from study hall to the prom, with stops at the Soda Fountain, Movies, and Beauty parlor.
Description (Brief)
This Campus Queen steel lunch box was manufactured by King Seeley Thermos Company in 1967. This Campus Queen lunch box features a magnetic game kit on the back, taking you from study hall to the prom, with stops at the Soda Fountain, Movies, and Beauty parlor. This lunch box also has the distinction of being featured in the music video for Cyndi Lauper’s 1984 number one hit, “Time After Time.”
Date made
1967
maker
King Seeley Thermos Company
ID Number
2001.3087.13
nonaccession number
2001.3087
catalog number
2001.3087.13

Twiggy Lunch Box

This vinyl-clad, cardboard-core lunch box was made by Aladdin in 1967. It has a hinged white plastic handle and metal snap for lid. The box is lavender, and features images of Twiggy modeling several outfits on the lid, along with head shot that has her iconic look.
Description (Brief)
This vinyl-clad, cardboard-core lunch box was made by Aladdin in 1967. It has a hinged white plastic handle and metal snap for lid. The box is lavender, and features images of Twiggy modeling several outfits on the lid, along with head shot that has her iconic look. Twiggy was one of the first international supermodels, so famous that she even had her own Barbie doll! This lunch box was just one of many pieces of memorabilia that bore Twiggy’s image at the height of her fame.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1967
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.25.01
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.25.01

Auto-Race Lunch Box

This metal lunch box was made by Thermos in 1967. It has a hinged lid, with a button press closure, and a red plastic, collapsible hinged handle.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was made by Thermos in 1967. It has a hinged lid, with a button press closure, and a red plastic, collapsible hinged handle. The lunch boxes features colorful action scenes of auto racing on the top and sides and a magnetic auto racing game on the bottom.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
King Seeley Thermos
ID Number
2004.3009.21
nonaccession number
2004.3009
catalog number
2004.3009.21

Superman Lunch Box

This tin lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1978. Released on the heels of the 1978 Superman movie, this lunch box shows the Daily Planets newsroom on the back, featuring images of Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Perry White, and Jimmy Olsen.
Description (Brief)
This tin lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1978. Released on the heels of the 1978 Superman movie, this lunch box shows the Daily Planets newsroom on the back, featuring images of Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Perry White, and Jimmy Olsen. The other side shows an image of Superman flying high above Metropolis in all his costumed glory.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1978
maker
Aladdin Industries
ID Number
2001.3087.26.01
nonaccession number
2001.3087
catalog number
2001.3087.26.01

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

Happy Days Lunch Box

This metal lunch box was made by Thermos in 1977. The lunch box features imagery from the TV show, Happy Days. Happy Days ran from 1974-1984 on ABC, and was one of the most popular shows of its time.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was made by Thermos in 1977. The lunch box features imagery from the TV show, Happy Days. Happy Days ran from 1974-1984 on ABC, and was one of the most popular shows of its time. It served as the genesis for iconic spin-off series like Laverne & Shirley, Mork & Mindy, and Joanie Loves Chachi.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1977
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Thermos
ID Number
1988.3160.58
catalog number
1988.3160.58
nonaccession number
1988.3160

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

Batman and Robin Lunch Box

This steel lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1966. The lunch box features images of the comic strip version of Batman and Robin that ran from 1966-1974.
Description (Brief)
This steel lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1966. The lunch box features images of the comic strip version of Batman and Robin that ran from 1966-1974. These Batman and Robin strips took on the some of the campy nature of television’s Batman, but also introduced some of the series most interesting storylines.
Date made
1966
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.01
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.01

Land of the Giants Lunch Box

This metal lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1968, and includes a thermos bottle. The lunch box features imagery from Land of the Giants, a television show that ran on ABC from 1968-1970.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1968, and includes a thermos bottle. The lunch box features imagery from Land of the Giants, a television show that ran on ABC from 1968-1970. The show was produced by Irwin Allen, known for other science fiction and adventure classics like Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Lost in Space, and The Time Tunnel. This show centered around the adventures of the crew of the spacecraft Spindrift, marooned on an alien planet whose residents, while humanoid, were 72 feet tall.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1968
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
1988.3160.59
catalog number
1988.3160.59
nonaccession number
1988.3160

Popeye Lunch Box

This tin lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1980. The lunch box has a red and yellow design depicting colorful action scenes and characters from the cartoon, Popeye on the exterior.
Description (Brief)
This tin lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1980. The lunch box has a red and yellow design depicting colorful action scenes and characters from the cartoon, Popeye on the exterior. Popeye and Brutus are depicted arguing over Olive Oyl on one side, and engaged in an arm wrestling contest on the other.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1980
maker
Aladdin Thermos Company
ID Number
2001.3087.32
nonaccession number
2001.3087
catalog number
2001.3087.32

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

Tom Corbett, Space Cadet Lunch Box

This steel lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1954. As one of the earliest metal lunch boxes, it served as a template for future designs with large colorful images of licensed fictional characters.
Description (Brief)
This steel lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1954. As one of the earliest metal lunch boxes, it served as a template for future designs with large colorful images of licensed fictional characters. This box features images from Tom Corbett, Space Cadet, a television show that aired on all four major networks from 1950-1955. Tom Corbett, Space Cadet also appeared as a book series, comic strip, and radio program. The back of the box features a diagram on the solar system, complete with distances from earth.
Date made
1954
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.18.01
catalog number
2003.3070.18.01
nonaccession number
2003.3070

The A-Team Lunch Box

This tin lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1983. 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 1983. 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
1983
maker
King Seeley Thermos
ID Number
2004.3009.01
nonaccession number
2004.3009
catalog number
2004.3009.01

Space: 1999 Lunch Box

This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1974. The lunch box features imagery of the short-lived TV series, Space: 1999, which ran from 1975-1978 in syndication.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1974. The lunch box features imagery of the short-lived TV series, Space: 1999, which ran from 1975-1978 in syndication. In Space: 1999, an accidental explosion of nuclear waste stored on the moon propelled the moon out of its orbit and sent it hurtling through space sending the inhabitants of Moonbase Alpha looking for a new home and encountering adventures along the way.
Date made
1974
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Thermos
ID Number
1988.3160.48
catalog number
1988.3160.48
nonaccession number
1988.3160

The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams Lunch Box

This dome-shaped metal lunch box was made in 1977 by Aladdin Industries. The box features imagery based on the hit TV series, The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams, which ran on NBC for two years from 1977-1978.
Description (Brief)
This dome-shaped metal lunch box was made in 1977 by Aladdin Industries. The box features imagery based on the hit TV series, The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams, which ran on NBC for two years from 1977-1978. The television series was based off of a 1974 feature film of the same name that was a huge success. The fictional character of Grizzly Adams was based off of the real man, James Capen Adams, a man who roamed the wilderness and tamed bears and other animals, often for P.T. Barnum’s shows.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1977
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
1988.3160.41
catalog number
1988.3160.41
nonaccession number
1988.3160

Mickey Mouse Club Lunch Box

This metal lunch box was made by Aladdin Industries in 1976. The lunch box features imagery from the popular children’s TV show, Mickey Mouse Club,. The original Mickey Mouse Club ran from 1955-1959 on ABC, but due to audience demand, the series remained popular into the 1960s.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was made by Aladdin Industries in 1976. The lunch box features imagery from the popular children’s TV show, Mickey Mouse Club,. The original Mickey Mouse Club ran from 1955-1959 on ABC, but due to audience demand, the series remained popular into the 1960s. Syndication started in 1962, with some new features edited in to the show, and syndication lasted until 1977, when Disney revived the series with The New Mickey Mouse Club.
date made
1976
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
1988.3160.54
catalog number
1988.3160.54
nonaccession number
1988.3160

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