Smithsonian - National Museum of American History, Behring Center
Taking America to Lunch
The Other Box
Cowboys and Astronauts
 
Space: 1999 lunch box

Click to enlarge imageSpace: 1999

by Thermos, 1975

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Comic books, radio shows, and television introduced a cast of action characters to American school children. Fearless champions of a mythical Old West joined with explorers of outer space on the illustrated metal lunch box and its companion drink container.

The steel box had reached its ideal form. Change shifted to the action circulating around all sides of the two containers. Manufacturers competed for rights to the latest horseback hero or starship warrior.

Tom Corbett: Space Cadet lunch box

Click to enlarge imageTom Corbett: Space Cadet

by Aladdin, 1954

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Gunsmoke lunch box

Click to enlarge imageGunsmoke

by Aladdin, 1959

 

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"Brave Eagle" lunch box and bottle

Click to enlarge image"Brave Eagle"

by Thermos, 1957

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Fireball XL5  lunchbox

Click to enlarge imageFireball XL5

by Thermos, 1964

 

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"Hopalong Cassidy" lunch box

Click to enlarge imageHopalong Cassidy

by Aladdin, 1950

 

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Return of the Jedi lunch box

Click to enlarge imageReturn of the Jedi

by Thermos, 1983

 

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The Jetsons lunch box and bottle

Click to enlarge imageThe Jetsons

by Aladdin, 1963

 

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Lost in Space lunch box

Click to enlarge imageLost in Space

by Thermos, 1967

 

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Daniel Boone lunch box

Click to enlarge imageDaniel Boone

by Aladdin, 1964

 

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