Chloe Zhang
Before plastic, bread was packaged in waxed paper bags or wrappers. The earliest bread wrappers were oiled parchment and coated beeswax papers, which were moisture-proof. In the 1940s and 1950s, printed waxed papers on long rolls were used to package bread, with a label at each end to seal the wrapper and allow consumers to reseal it. In the 1960s and 1970s, many products that had been packaged in glass switched to plastic, as it was lighter and more resilient, saving on transport costs and making shopping less heavy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time period | 1940s-1950s |
| Bread packaging | Waxed paper bags |
| Bread packaging features | Moisture-proof, sealed with a label at each end |
| Bread packaging design | Printed designs, typography, and slogans |
| Other food packaging | Glass, paper, cardboard, metal, cloth, wood |
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What You'll Learn
Waxed paper bags were used to package bread before plastic
Before plastic, bread was packaged in waxed paper bags. These bags were made of paper coated in wax, which created a moisture-proof barrier to keep the bread fresh. The earliest bread wrappers are thought to have been made of oiled parchment and coated beeswax paper.
The use of waxed paper bags for bread packaging became especially popular in the 1940s and 1950s, with the mechanization of the bread packaging industry. During this time, printed waxed papers on long rolls were used, and the wrappers were sealed with a label at each end, allowing consumers to reseal the package.
In the 1950s, flexible plastic packaging was introduced, and by the 1960s and 1970s, many products that had been packaged in glass switched to plastic containers. Plastic offered several advantages, including lighter weight and resilience, which reduced transport costs and made shopping less heavy.
However, there has been a recent shift away from plastic packaging due to environmental concerns. Some bakeries now offer discounts to customers who bring their own bags or containers, encouraging a reduction in paper waste. Others have adopted the use of paper bags or cartons, returning to the packaging solutions used before the widespread adoption of plastic.
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Bread was also wrapped in oiled parchment paper
Bread packaging has evolved over the years, with the earliest bread wrappers being oiled parchment and coated beeswax papers. These wrappers were moisture-proof, ensuring the bread stayed fresh for as long as possible.
Before the widespread use of plastic, bread was commonly packaged in waxed paper. In the 1940s and 1950s, printed waxed paper on long rolls helped to mechanize the bread packaging industry, with the wrappers sealed at each end for the consumer to reseal. In the 1960s and 1970s, there was a shift from glass to plastic containers for many products, including bread. Plastic offered a lighter and more resilient option, reducing transport costs and making shopping less heavy.
However, some bakeries continued to use paper packaging for bread. For example, a bakery in California offered a discount to customers who chose to forgo plastic packaging, encouraging the reduction of paper waste.
Today, bread packaging varies, with some larger bakeries using plastic while smaller bakeries may use paper bags or no packaging at all. The choice of packaging material depends on various factors, including environmental concerns, cost, and convenience.
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Cardboard boxes were used for cereal and crackers
Before the widespread use of plastic, bread was packaged in moisture-proof waxed paper wrappers. These were considered the best solution to keep bread fresh for as long as possible after the invention of sliced bread in 1928.
Cardboard Boxes for Cereal and Crackers
Cardboard boxes were used for packaging a variety of products, including cereal and crackers, before plastic became popular. The first breakfast cereal product, Kellogg's "Sanitas" or "Kellogg's Sterilized Bran," released in 1895, was packaged in a plain cardboard box without a bag. This was the beginning of using cardboard boxes for breakfast cereals, and Kellogg's continued to package their products this way.
The use of cardboard boxes for packaging various products expanded in the 1930s. Breakfast cereals, ice cream, and powdered products were some of the food items commonly packaged in cardboard boxes during this time. This trend continued into the 1960s, as reflected in cartoons from that era, which often depicted characters pouring cereal directly from cardboard boxes without any protective plastic bag inside.
The shift from waxed paper to plastic packaging for bread occurred in the late 1950s, coinciding with the broader transition from glass to plastic containers for many products during the 1960s and 1970s. This transition was driven by the convenience of manufacturers, as plastic packaging was lighter and more resilient, reducing transport costs and making shopping more convenient for consumers.
Today, cereal boxes are made of paperboard, a thinner and more flexible version of corrugated cardboard. Paperboard is widely recycled and can be recycled as long as it is not coated with a waxy or plastic material.
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Glass was used for shampoo and other products
Before the widespread use of plastic, bread was packaged in waxed paper bags or wrapping. In the 1940s, bread was put through a slicer and then placed in a waxed paper bag. Dairy products like sour cream were also packaged in waxed paper containers in the early 1960s.
The first plastic material was patented by Alexander Parkes in 1856, known as Parkesine. However, it wasn't until the 1950s that flexible plastic packaging became common, revolutionizing the way consumers used products with its squeezable plastic bottles.
Shampoo, like many other products, was packaged in glass bottles before the switch to plastic containers. Glass bottles for shampoo were common in the 1960s, and some people continue to prefer storing products in glass. Glass packaging was heavier, more fragile, and less convenient for transportation, but it is often seen as a cleaner alternative to plastic, especially for storing food.
In addition to glass, shampoo was also packaged in paper or plastic sachets, which were diluted with water before use. Some shampoo brands that used sachets include Drene, Vaseline, and Lin Co Lin.
The switch from glass to plastic packaging for shampoo and other products offered several advantages, including lighter weight, increased resilience, and reduced transport costs. However, this shift has also contributed to the global issue of plastic waste, leading to concerns about the environmental impact of plastic packaging.
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Metal cans were used for beer and other drinks
Before plastic, bread was packaged in waxed paper bags or paper bags. In the early 1960s, dairy products like sour cream were still packaged in waxed paper containers.
Metal Cans for Beer and Other Drinks
Metal cans were used for packaging beer and other drinks as early as 1935. The Gottfried Krueger Brewing Co. of Newark, New Jersey, was the first brewery to package beer in cans, signing an agreement with the American Can Co. in November 1933. By the end of November, the company had delivered two thousand cans of Krueger's Special Beer, filled with 3.2% beer—the highest alcohol content then permitted by law. These first cans were made of heavy-gauge steel and required a special opener to punch a hole in the solid, flat top.
The interest in packaging beer in metal cans dates back to before Prohibition in America. Before Prohibition, beer was distributed mostly in bottles, kegs, and directly from the tap. At that time, other foods were packaged in metal cans, and the American Can Company began exploring the possibility of canning beer. However, there were technical and marketing challenges to overcome, including finding affordable materials and methods to produce cans strong enough to withstand the high pressure of pasteurization. There was also a concern that metal cans would negatively affect the taste of the beer.
In 1959, the American Ermal Fraze invented the ring pull tab, which revolutionized the canned beverage market with its ease of opening. By the mid-1950s, flat-top cans had gained market dominance over cone-top cans due to their faster filling speed and easier stacking capabilities.
Today, metal drink cans are typically made of aluminum or tin-plated steel. Aluminum is the predominant material in worldwide production, accounting for 75% of all drink cans, while tin-plated steel accounts for 25%. The interiors of the cans are coated with an epoxy resin or polymer to prevent the product's flavor from being affected by a chemical reaction with the metal.
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Frequently asked questions
Before plastic, bread was packaged in waxed paper bags, paper packets, and butcher's paper.
Plastic packaging for bread started to emerge in the 1950s, alongside other plastic packaging for goods such as shampoo and medication.
Glass, cardboard, tin, aluminium, and other cheap metals were used for packaging before plastic. In ancient times, clay jugs and vases were used for storage.
