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.

Topic: Lunch Boxes

Steve Canyon Thermos

This steel and glass thermos bottle was made by Aladdin in 1959. It has a screw-on black plastic cup lid and red and gray plastic stopper. The thermos features cartoons of Steve Canyon with planes and missiles.
Description (Brief)
This steel and glass thermos bottle was made by Aladdin in 1959. It has a screw-on black plastic cup lid and red and gray plastic stopper. The thermos features cartoons of Steve Canyon with planes and missiles. Steve Canyon was created by Milton Caniff as a comic strip and ran from 1947-1988. Canyon served as an Air Force pilot for much of the strip.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1959
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.15.02
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.15.02

Marvel Comic's Super Heroes Thermos

This plastic thermos bottle was made by Aladdin Industries in 1976. It has a screw-on black plastic cup lid with handle and screw-on beige plastic stopper.
Description (Brief)
This plastic thermos bottle was made by Aladdin Industries in 1976. It has a screw-on black plastic cup lid with handle and screw-on beige plastic stopper. The bottle is the companion to lunch box object number 2003.3070.11.01, and shows images of Marvel’s super heroes like Spider-Man, Captain America, and the Hulk.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1976
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.11.02
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.11.02

Beatles Thermos

This steel, glass and plastic thermos bottle was made by Aladdin Industries in 1966. It has a screw-on white plastic cup lid with handle and screw-on blue plastic stopper. The background is aqua blue with images of The Beatles around it.
Description (Brief)
This steel, glass and plastic thermos bottle was made by Aladdin Industries in 1966. It has a screw-on white plastic cup lid with handle and screw-on blue plastic stopper. The background is aqua blue with images of The Beatles around it. There is one image of all four of them playing their instruments, and each has a portrait of his face around the bottle.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1966
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.02.02
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.02.02

Battle Kit Thermos

This tin, plastic and glass thermos bottle was made by Thermos in 1965. It has a red plastic screw-on cup lid and a beige and red plastic screw-on stopper. The bottle has images of soldiers in war settings on the side.
Description (Brief)
This tin, plastic and glass thermos bottle was made by Thermos in 1965. It has a red plastic screw-on cup lid and a beige and red plastic screw-on stopper. The bottle has images of soldiers in war settings on the side. The bottle matches lunch box #2001.3101.04.01, and the image is the same as the front image of the lunch box.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1965
maker
King Seeley Thermos
ID Number
2001.3101.04.02
nonaccession number
2001.3101
catalog number
2001.3101.04.02

Tom Corbett, Space Cadet Thermos

This steel and glass thermos bottle was made by Aladdin Industries in 1954. It has a screw-on red plastic cup lid, but the stopper is missing. The thermos features images from Tom Corbett, Space Cadet, showing images of an alien landscape with a rocket, and Tom Corbett and Dr.
Description (Brief)
This steel and glass thermos bottle was made by Aladdin Industries in 1954. It has a screw-on red plastic cup lid, but the stopper is missing. The thermos features images from Tom Corbett, Space Cadet, showing images of an alien landscape with a rocket, and Tom Corbett and Dr. Joan Dale in the foreground.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1954
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.18.02
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.18.02

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi Thermos

This red plastic thermos bottle was made by Thermos in 1983. It has a white screw-on cup lid with handle and a white screw-on stopper with a yellow hinged pouring spout.
Description (Brief)
This red plastic thermos bottle was made by Thermos in 1983. It has a white screw-on cup lid with handle and a white screw-on stopper with a yellow hinged pouring spout. Star Wars: Return of the Jedi is printed in white above the image of an Ewok, a cute and cuddly new addition to the Star Wars universe in the final film who helped take down the evil Empire.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1983
maker
King Seeley Thermos
ID Number
2004.3009.10.02
nonaccession number
2004.3009
catalog number
2004.3009.10.02

Hopalong Cassidy Thermos

This metal, glass and plastic thermos bottle was made by Aladdin in 1964. It has a screw-on yellow cup lid and dark gray rubber stopper. The bottle shows an action image of Hopalong Cassidy riding his horse with his revolver unholstered.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This metal, glass and plastic thermos bottle was made by Aladdin in 1964. It has a screw-on yellow cup lid and dark gray rubber stopper. The bottle shows an action image of Hopalong Cassidy riding his horse with his revolver unholstered.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1964
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.33
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.33

Pinky and the Brain Thermos

This plastic thermos bottle was made by Aladdin in 1996. It has a screw-on red cup lid with handle and screw-on beige stopper. The bottle is white with cartoon images of Pinky and the Brain from the cartoon series Pinky and the Brain.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This plastic thermos bottle was made by Aladdin in 1996. It has a screw-on red cup lid with handle and screw-on beige stopper. The bottle is white with cartoon images of Pinky and the Brain from the cartoon series Pinky and the Brain.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1996
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.30.02
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.30.02

Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Thermos

This Roy Rogers thermos was manufactured by Thermos in 1954. It features an image similar to the previous lunch box, object number 2001.3099.07.01.
Description (Brief)
This Roy Rogers thermos was manufactured by Thermos in 1954. It features an image similar to the previous lunch box, object number 2001.3099.07.01. Roy Rogers is posing with a kneeling Dale Evans, his horse Trigger, and his dog Bullet, under the sign for Roy Rogers and Dale Evans DOUBLE R BAR RANCH.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1954
depicted
Rogers, Roy
Evans, Dale
ID Number
2001.3099.07.02
nonaccession number
2001.3099
catalog number
2001.3099.07.02

Satellite Thermos

This plastic and glass vacuum thermos bottle was manufactured by the American Thermos Products Company and served as a companion bottle to the Satellite Lunch Box, object number 2001.0387.06.01.
Description (Brief)
This plastic and glass vacuum thermos bottle was manufactured by the American Thermos Products Company and served as a companion bottle to the Satellite Lunch Box, object number 2001.0387.06.01. The bottle is adorned with action scenes in space featuring rockets and satellites hovering over the surface of the moon.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1958
maker
American Thermos Bottle Company
ID Number
2001.3087.06.02
nonaccession number
2001.3087
catalog number
2001.3087.06.02

Disney School Bus Thermos

This tin, steel and glass thermos bottle was made by Aladdin Industries in 1961. It has a yellow plastic, screw-on cup lid and a red plastic, screw-on stopper. The bottle continues on the bus motif, showing Disney’s favorite characters disembarking from the school bus.
Description (Brief)
This tin, steel and glass thermos bottle was made by Aladdin Industries in 1961. It has a yellow plastic, screw-on cup lid and a red plastic, screw-on stopper. The bottle continues on the bus motif, showing Disney’s favorite characters disembarking from the school bus. The bottle is the companion to lunch box #2001.3101.15.01.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1961
referenced
Walt Disney Company
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2001.3101.15.02
nonaccession number
2001.3101
catalog number
2001.3101.15.02

Barbie Thermos

This black thermos bottle was made by Thermos in 1962. The thermos has a red plastic lid and screw-on stopper. The bottle is decorated with images of Barbie in various poses.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This black thermos bottle was made by Thermos in 1962. The thermos has a red plastic lid and screw-on stopper. The bottle is decorated with images of Barbie in various poses.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1962
maker
American Thermos Bottle Company
ID Number
2004.3009.22.02
nonaccession number
2004.3009
catalog number
2004.3009.22.02

Hopalong Cassidy Thermos

This metal and plastic thermos bottle was made by Aladdin Industries in the 1950s. 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 bottle’s front.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This metal and plastic thermos bottle was made by Aladdin Industries in the 1950s. 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 bottle’s front.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1950s
maker
Aladdin Industries
ID Number
2004.3009.27
nonaccession number
2004.3009
catalog number
2004.3009.27

Indiana Jones Thermos

This red plastic thermos bottle was made by Thermos in 1985. The bottle has a white plastic, screw-on cup lid with handle and a white screw-on stopper with a yellow hinged pouring spout.
Description (Brief)
This red plastic thermos bottle was made by Thermos in 1985. The bottle has a white plastic, screw-on cup lid with handle and a white screw-on stopper with a yellow hinged pouring spout. The front of the thermos is decorated with a colorful cartoon image of Indiana Jones posing in his trademark hat and whip.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1984
maker
King Seeley Thermos
ID Number
2004.3009.14.02
nonaccession number
2004.3009
catalog number
2004.3009.14.02

Ludwig Von Drake Thermos

This steel and glass thermos bottle was made by Aladdin in 1961. It has a screw-on blue plastic cup lid with handle and screw-on red plastic stopper. The bottle features cartoon images of Ludwig Von Drake in Disneyland.
Description (Brief)
This steel and glass thermos bottle was made by Aladdin in 1961. It has a screw-on blue plastic cup lid with handle and screw-on red plastic stopper. The bottle features cartoon images of Ludwig Von Drake in Disneyland. It is the companion bottle to lunch box number 2003.3070.10.01.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1961
referenced
Walt Disney Company
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.10.02
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.10.02

Fly Fishing Thermos

This metal thermos bottle was made by Thermos in the 1950s. It has a glass liner, a red plastic screw-on lid and red plastic stopper. The thermos is decorated with colorful animated fly-tied fish hooks, and each is named.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This metal thermos bottle was made by Thermos in the 1950s. It has a glass liner, a red plastic screw-on lid and red plastic stopper. The thermos is decorated with colorful animated fly-tied fish hooks, and each is named.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1950s
maker
Thermos Bottle Co., Ltd.
ID Number
2004.3009.23
nonaccession number
2004.3009
catalog number
2004.3009.23

Bozo the Clown Thermos

This steel, glass and plastic thermos bottle was made by Aladdin in 1983. It has a screw-on red plastic cup lid with handle and screw-on red plastic stopper. The thermos has colorful images of Bozo the Clown and other circus activities.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This steel, glass and plastic thermos bottle was made by Aladdin in 1983. It has a screw-on red plastic cup lid with handle and screw-on red plastic stopper. The thermos has colorful images of Bozo the Clown and other circus activities.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1963
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.20.02
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.20.02

Lawman Thermos

This metal and plastic thermos bottle was made by Thermos in 1961. It has a red plastic cap with handle and a red screw-on stopper. The bottle features colorful animated drawings of cowboy gear like a hat, saddle, brander, and spurs.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This metal and plastic thermos bottle was made by Thermos in 1961. It has a red plastic cap with handle and a red screw-on stopper. The bottle features colorful animated drawings of cowboy gear like a hat, saddle, brander, and spurs.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1961
maker
American Thermos Products Co.
ID Number
2004.3009.25
nonaccession number
2004.3009
catalog number
2004.3009.25

Fraggle Rock Lunch Box

This metal lunch box was made by Thermos in 1984. The lunch box features imagery of Jim Henson’s muppet characters from the TV show, Fraggle Rock. Fraggle Rock ran from 1983-1987 on HBO in the United States, although it also aired in Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was made by Thermos in 1984. The lunch box features imagery of Jim Henson’s muppet characters from the TV show, Fraggle Rock. Fraggle Rock ran from 1983-1987 on HBO in the United States, although it also aired in Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. Fraggle Rock was HBO’s first original series, and was a worldwide hit.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1984
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Thermos
ID Number
1988.3160.55
catalog number
1988.3160.55
nonaccession number
1988.3160

Robin Hood Lunch Box

This metal lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1956. The lunch box features imagery based on classic fairytale, Robin Hood.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1956. The lunch box features imagery based on classic fairytale, Robin Hood. The images on this lunchbox seem to be drawn from the 1938 film, The Adventures of Robin Hood that starred Errol Flynn in the titular role and was nominated for four Academy Awards, including best picture.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1956
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Aladdin
author
Woodall
ID Number
1988.3160.60
catalog number
1988.3160.60
nonaccession number
1988.3160

Laugh-In Lunch Box

This metal lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1969. The lunch boxes features imagery from the popular TV comedy show, Laugh-In. Laugh-In was a sketch comedy variety show that originally ran from 1968-1973 on NBC.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1969. The lunch boxes features imagery from the popular TV comedy show, Laugh-In. Laugh-In was a sketch comedy variety show that originally ran from 1968-1973 on NBC.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1969
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
1988.3160.36
nonaccession number
1988.3160
catalog number
1988.3160.36

The Waltons Lunch Box

This metal lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1973. The lunch box features imagery from the TV show The Waltons, which ran on CBS from 1972-1981.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1973. The lunch box features imagery from the TV show The Waltons, which ran on CBS from 1972-1981. The Waltons was a huge hit, winning five Primetime Emmy’s in 1973, including the Emmy for Outstanding Drama.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1973
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
1988.3160.44
catalog number
1988.3160.44
nonaccession number
1988.3160

NFL Lunch Box

This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1976.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1976. The lunch box features images of all the helmets of the National Football League teams, with one side being the teams of the National Conference, and the other side being the teams in the American Conference.
Location
Currently not on view
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
associated institution
NFL
maker
Thermos
ID Number
1988.3160.53
catalog number
1988.3160.53
nonaccession number
1988.3160

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

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