Milk Maid Milk Carton

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 that, when opened, creates a pouring spout, remains the industry standard today.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Carton (Container)

Creator Notes

Manufactured for Ex-Cell-O Corporation, Detroit, Michigan, by the Kieckhefer Container Company, Jacksonville, Florida, et al., for Pennbrook Milk Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Milkmaid Dairy Products Co., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

71.1.1257

Credit

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

Material

Cardboard
Metal

Color

Cream (Color)
Red

Dimensions

Height: 9.5 in
Width: 3.75 in
Length: 3.75 in

Inscriptions

on front of carton: TO OPEN / Milk Maid / HOMOGENIZED / MILK / ONE HALF GALLON LIQUID / Milk Maid / PASTEURIZED / HOMOGENIZED / MILK / MILKMAID DAIRY PRODUCTS CO. / PHILADELPHIA, PA. on sides of carton: Milk Maid / PASTEURIZED / HOMOGENIZED / MILK / MILKMAID DAIRY PRODUCTS CO. / PHILADELPHIA, PA. on back of carton: Milk Maid / HOMOGENIZED / MILK / ONE HALF GALLON LIQUID / Milk Maid / PASTEURIZED / HOMOGENIZED / MILK / MILKMAID DAIRY PRODUCTS CO. / PHILADELPHIA, PA. on top folds: PUSH UP / HERE / SPOUT / PUSH UP / HERE / SEALED / Pure-Pak / (R) EX-CELL-O CORP. DETROIT, MICH. / YOUR PERSONAL MILK CONTAINER / [inside arrow] TO OPEN on top fold: 10495 / PENNA. APPROVED I-2 - N. J. APPROVED L-2 / PATENT APPLIED FOR / MANUFACTURED FOR EX-CELL-O CORP. BY / KIECKHEFER CONTAINER COMPANY / JACKSONVILLE, FLA. WHITTIER, CALIF. VANCOUVER, WASH. / DALLAS, TEX. HASTINGS, NEBR. THREE RIVERS, MICH. / CAMDEN, N. J. / PROCESSED AND PACKAGED BY PENNBROOK MILK CO., PHILA., PA.
Milk Maid Milk Carton