Pennbrook Milk Carton, 1948

01

Artifact Overview

The quest for a shatter-proof milk container prompted John Van Wormer to patent a paper carton in 1915. Many processors and distributors continued to use breakable glass bottles, but, after 1937, mechanized production made the disposable, wax-coated folded cartons inexpensive and indispensable liquid containers. The iconic design, a box with a gable-end top with a pouring or drinking spout, remains the industry standard today.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Carton (Container)

Date Made

1948

Creator Notes

Manufactured in Delair, New Jersey, for Ex-Cell-O Corporation, Detroit, Michigan,for Pennbrook Milk Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

71.1.1236

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of David M. Gwinn.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)
Wax

Color

Cream (Color)
Red
Black (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 9.25 in
Length: 3 in
Width: 3 in

Inscriptions

on front of carton: HOMO VITAMIN D / LIFT / PENN / BROOK / EXTRA RICH / HOMOGENIZED / MILK / MODIFIED WITH VITAMIN D / 400 U.S.P. UNITS OF ACTIVATED ERGOSTEROL ADDED / CONTAINS NOT LESS THAN 4% B. F. / ONE QUART LIQUID on side of carton: PENN / BROOK / EXTRA RICH / HOMOGENIZED / MILK / MODIFIED WITH VITAMIN D / 400 U.S.P. UNITS OF ACTIVATED ERGOSTEROL ADDED / APPROVED STATE BUREAU / Weights and Measures / PENNA. SERIAL No. L-2 / NEW JERSEY APPROVED on back of carton: HOMO VITAMIN D / PENN / BROOK / EXTRA RICH / HOMOGENIZED / MILK / MODIFIED WITH VITAMIN D / 400 U.S.P. UNITS OF ACTIVATED ERGOSTEROL ADDED / CONTAINS NOT LESS THAN 4% B. F. / ONE QUART LIQUID on side of carton: PENN / BROOK / EXTRA RICH / HOMOGENIZED / MILK / MODIFIED WITH VITAMIN D / 400 U.S.P. UNITS OF ACTIVATED ERGOSTEROL ADDED / PASTEURIZED AT / PENNBROOK MILK COMPANY / 500-520 SO. 27TH ST. PHILADELPHIA PA. / PHONE Kingsley 5-3880 on top folds: SEALED SINGLE SERVICE / Pure-Pak / REG. U.S. PAT. OFF. / CONTAINER - A PRODUCT OF / EX-CELL-O CORPORATION / DETROIT, MICH. / MANUFACTURED FOR EX-CELL-O BY / [blank] Delair, N. J. on top folds: 2343 / Covered by one or more U. S. Patent Nos. / 1,763,025 / [...] / 2,079,875 / [...] / 2,263,957 2,329,797 / OTHER PATENTS / PENDING
Pennbrook Milk Carton, 1948