Kent Cigarette Box, Michigan State Medical Society, 1959
Kent Cigarette Box, Michigan State Medical Society, 1959
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- Description
- Black and white plastic box with hinged lid. Signature of "Ruth K. Dixon" on lid in gold; "KENT" in black and gold; "MICHIGAN STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY / GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. / 1959" printed in red. Box empty.
- Kent cigarette boxes were presented to attendees of the 1959 Michigan State Medical Society annual meeting. In the mid-twentieth century, cigarette companies were sponsors of many state medical society meetings. The practice continued until the 1964 U.S. Surgeon General's report on the health risks of smoking and tobacco use helped put an end to the decades-long relationship between tobacco companies and the medical profession.
- This cigarette box was presented to Ruth K. Dixon, an active member of the Michigan State Medical Society Auxiliary, and wife of Dr. Willis L. Dixon, also a conference attendee.
- Kent cigarettes were introduced in 1952 by the Lorillard Tobacco Company. Responding to increasing public reports linking smoking to cancer, the company marketed the brand as a safer cigarette due to its "Micronite filter." The filter contained blue asbestos one of the most toxic forms of asbestos which can lead to mesothelioma cancer. The company discontinued use of these filters in 1956 or 1957.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- cigarette box
- box, cigarette
- date made
- ca 1959
- Physical Description
- plastic (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 1 1/4 in x 4 3/4 in x 3 7/8 in; 3.175 cm x 12.065 cm x 9.8425 cm
- overall: 3 cm x 12 cm x 10 cm; 1 3/16 in x 4 3/4 in x 3 15/16 in
- ID Number
- 2008.3062.01
- nonaccession number
- 2008.3062
- catalog number
- 2008.3062.01
- Credit Line
- Family of Willis L. and Ruth K. Dixon, through Mark E. Dixon
- See more items in
- Medicine and Science: Medicine
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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