Pennbrook Sample 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 with a pouring or drinking spout, remains the industry standard today.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Carton (Container)

Creator Notes

Manufactured for Ex-Cell-O Corporation, Detroit, Michigan, by the Cherry River Paper Co., Delair, New Jersey, for Pennbrook Milk Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

71.1.1613

Credit

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

Material

Cardboard

Color

Cream (Color)
Red
Blue

Dimensions

Height: 9.375 in
Width: 5.5 in

Inscriptions

on front of carton: HOMOGENIZED / LIFT / PENN / BROOK / PASTEURIZED / HOMOGENIZED / MILK / ONE PINT LIQUID on side of carton: D8104 / SEALED SANITARY SINGLE SERVICE / Pure-Pak / Reg. U. S. Pat. Off. / CONTAINER - A PRODUCT OF / B / EX-CELL-O CORPORATION / DETROIT, MICH. / MANUFACTURED FOR EX-CELL-O BY / CHERRY RIVER PAPER CO. Delair, N. J. / APPROVED STATE BUREAU / Weights and Measures / PENNA. SERIAL No. L-2 / NEW JERSEY APPROVED on back of carton: HOMOGENIZED / PENN / BROOK / ONE PINT LIQUID on side of carton: S C / 2,079,875 / [...] / 2,329,797 / OTHER PATENTS / PENDING / 1183 / Covered by one or more U S Patent Nos. / 1,763,025 / [...] / 2,270,617 / PASTEURIZED AT / PENNBROOK MILK COMPANY / 500-520 SO. 27TH ST., PHILADELPHIA, PA. / PHONE Kingsley 5-3880 on strip of cardboard, crossed out: EXTRA RICH in blue ball point pen in various places on front: No blue / background / Blanks have to / have printing big / enough to be read / if they can't / print small clear- in blue ink by name on front: has to / be / on / center
Pennbrook Sample Milk Carton