Pernambuco Milk Carton, circa 1941

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

circa 1941

Creator Notes

Manufactured by Single Service Containers, Inc., Chelsea Massachusetts, for Ex-Cell-O Corporation, Detroit, Michigan. Manufactured for the Uzina Higienisadora de Leite do Recife (Milk Sanitizing Plant of Recife) and distributed by the Cooperativa de Laticinios do Recife (Recife dairy Cooperative; Laticinios is mispelled Lacticinios on carton)

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

71.1.1112

Credit

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

Material

Cardboard
Metal
Wax

Color

Cream (Color)
Red

Dimensions

Height: 3.75 in
Width: 2.75 in
Length: 2.75 in

Inscriptions

on front of carton: ABRIR / AQUI / Exija sempre a / MANTEIGA EXTRA FINA / PERNAMBUCO / BEBA MAIS LEITE on side of carton: OS PRODUTOS DA / UZINA HIGIENISADORA DE LEITE DO RECIFE / SAO RIGOROSAMENTE TRATADOS E CON- / TROLADOS POR PESSOAL TECNICO / ESPECIALISADO / Distribuidora: / COOPERATIVA DE LACTICINIOS DO RECIFE / CAIS Dr. JOSE MARIANO 470 FONE 3090 / LEITE E SAUDE on back of carton: ESTE ENVOLUCRO CONTEM / 1/4 DE LITRO DE LEITE PASTEURISADO / [...] / BEBA LEITE on side of carton: LEITE / ESPECIAL / UZINA H DE LEITE / RECIFE / A / LEITE E SAUDE on fold: Fabricado para a / EX-CELL-O CORPORATION / pala SINGLE SERVICE CONTAINERS, INC. / Chelsea, Massachusetts / U. S. A. on fold: Pure-Pak / Reg. U. S. Pat. Off. / SINGLE SERVICE CONTAINER on bottom: CONCORRA PARA A PROSPERIDADE / DE SUA TERRA! / [...] / AUG - 1941 / 2