Ethan Clarke
Before the widespread use of plastic, bread was packaged in a variety of materials. The earliest bread wrappers were made of oiled parchment and coated beeswax paper, which were moisture-proof. In the 1940s and 50s, printed waxed papers on long rolls were used to package bread, with a label at each end that could be used by the consumer for resealing. Cardboard trays and paper bags were also used to package bread before plastic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time period | Before the 1950s |
| Bread packaging | Moisture-proof waxed wrappers, paper packets, butcher paper, wax paper |
| Other food packaging | Glass bottles and jars, metal cans, cardboard boxes, tin containers, clay jugs and vases |
| Non-food packaging | Wooden boxes and barrels, cloth bags, paper bags |
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Waxed paper bags
Before plastic, many different materials were used for packaging, including paper, glass, metal, and cloth. Paper packaging was especially common, with items like meat and cheese wrapped in butcher paper, and bread packaged in waxed paper bags. Waxed paper was also used as a liner for cardboard boxes containing cereal and crackers.
The invention of sliced bread in 1928 created a need for specific packaging to keep the bread fresh. Moisture-proof waxed wrappers provided the best solution before the introduction of plastic wrappers.
Today, plastic is a popular material for food packaging due to its flexibility, low cost, and ability to take on various shapes. However, there is a growing environmental concern over the use of plastic, and some people are seeking plastic-free alternatives.
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Glass bottles
Before plastic, bread was often delivered by a local baker or purchased from a bakery or grocery store. It was typically sold in paper or waxed paper bags, which served as a practical and affordable packaging solution. The invention of sliced bread in 1928 created a need for specific packaging to keep the bread fresh, and moisture-proof waxed wrappers became a popular solution before the introduction of plastic wrappers.
While glass bottles and jars were commonly used for various products, they had their limitations. Glass is breakable, which could make it inconvenient and unsafe for certain applications. Additionally, glass is heavier than plastic, making it less ideal for transportation and contributing to higher fuel consumption during shipping.
As plastic gained popularity in the 1950s and 1960s, many products that were previously packaged in glass switched to plastic containers. Plastic offered advantages such as flexibility, lightweight, and the ability to create various shapes. However, the shift towards plastic also led to increased environmental concerns due to the challenges associated with plastic waste disposal and recycling.
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Cardboard boxes
Before plastic, bread was commonly delivered in wax paper bags. Waxed paper provided a solution to keep bread fresh for as long as possible before plastic wrappers were introduced. Bread was also sometimes displayed in cardboard trays with clear wrap, an early form of plastic packaging.
The use of cardboard boxes for packaging was made possible by the development of processes for mass-producing paperboard boxes. In the mid-19th century, Robert Gair from New York invented a process for mass-producing paperboard boxes. America's National Biscuit Company (Nabisco) was the first large company to adopt them, and they soon became extensively used for packaging soap and cigarettes.
The appeal of cardboard boxes for packaging was further enhanced by the invention of chromolithography, a method of colour printing, in 1837. This invention allowed manufacturers to print directly onto cardboard boxes in vibrant colours, making their products more visually appealing to consumers.
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Butcher's paper
In the days before plastic, bread was commonly delivered in wax paper bags. Wax paper was widely used to keep bread fresh, before the invention of plastic wrappers.
The use of butcher's paper for meat and cheese was part of a wider trend of using paper for packaging. In the early 20th century, paperboard cartons and boxes were developed, and by the 1930s, these were widely used for breakfast cereals, ice cream, and powdered products. Before plastic, many products were also packaged in glass jars, metal cans, or cardboard boxes.
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Metal tubes
The collapsible metal tube was invented by American oil painter John Goffe Rand in 1841 as a way of transporting paints for outdoor use. It was not until 1892 that the idea of putting toothpaste into tubes was made practical. Colgate experimented with tubes soon after and found them acceptable to the public. The first toothpaste tubes that appeared in the 1890s were made entirely of metal.
Before plastic packaging, bread was typically delivered by a bread man and placed in a wax paper bag. Waxed paper wrappers provided the best solution for keeping bread fresh before plastic wrappers were introduced. Other common forms of packaging before plastic included paper packets, glass jars, tins, aluminium, and other cheap metal containers. Cardboard boxes with waxed paper liners were also used for items such as cereal and crackers.
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Frequently asked questions
Before plastic, bread was delivered in wax paper bags or wrapped in butcher's paper.
Wax paper bags were made of paper coated in wax to provide moisture-proofing.
Plastic started to be used for food packaging in the 1950s, with the invention of flexible plastic packaging.
Before plastic, packaging was made from paper, glass, tin, aluminium, cardboard, clay, wood, and cloth.
