Lunchbox Collection

Theron Akin, Rep. from New York; with Full Dinner Pail Placard, 1913. Creator: Harris & Ewing. Theron Akin, Rep
Theron Akin, Rep. from New York; with Full Dinner Pail Placard, 1913. [US politician: Representative 1911-1913. Served as Mayor of Amsterdam, New York]

Theron Akin, Rep. from New York; with Full Dinner Pail Placard, 1913. Creator: Harris & Ewing. Theron Akin, Rep
Theron Akin, Rep. from New York; with Full Dinner Pail Placard, 1913. [US politician: Representative 1911-1913. Served as Mayor of Amsterdam, New York]

Migrant cotton pickers at lunchtime, near Radstown, Texas, 1936. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Migrant cotton pickers at lunchtime. Near Radstown, Texas

Lunchtime for the peach pickers, Muscella, Georgia, 1936. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Lunchtime for the peach pickers. Muscella, Georgia

Lunchtime for these Georgia peach pickers, Muscella, Georgia, 1936. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Lunchtime for these Georgia peach pickers. They earn seventy-five cents a day in the orchards. Muscella, Georgia

Lunchtime brings a few minutes of rest... Douglas Aircraft Companys plant, Long Beach, Calif
Lunchtime brings a few minutes of rest for these women workers of the assembly line at Douglas Aircraft Companys plant, Long Beach, Calif

Girl worker at lunch also absorbing Calif... Douglas Aircraft Company, Long Beach, Calif. 1942
Girl worker at lunch also absorbing California sunshine, Douglas Aircraft Company, Long Beach, Calif

A noontime rest for a full-fledged... Long Beach, Calif. plant of Douglas Aircraft Company, 1942
A noontime rest for a full-fledged assembly worker at the Long Beach, Calif. plant of Douglas Aircraft Company. Nacelle parts for a heavy bomber form the background

Two assembly line workers at the Long Beach, Calif. plant of Douglas Aircraft Company... 1942. Creator: Alfred T Palmer
Two assembly line workers at the Long Beach, Calif. plant of Douglas Aircraft Company enjoy a well-earned lunch period, Long Beach, Calif. Nacelle parts of a heavy bomber form the background

The children from Dead Ox Flat ready to march into the school... Malheur County, Oregon, 1939. Creator: Dorothea Lange
The children from Dead Ox Flat ready to march into the school building when the bell rings. 9 a.m. Malheur County, Oregon

Lunch Box, 1935 / 1942. Creator: Edward L Loper
Lunch Box, 1935/1942

Lunch Box, c. 1938. Creator: Edward L Loper
Lunch Box, c. 1938

Sandwiches: For A Box Lunch, 1931 (screen print)
3036046 Sandwiches: For A Box Lunch, 1931 (screen print) by American School, (20th century); (add.info.: Vintage illustration of sandwiches being prepared for a box lunch; screen print)

Sandwiches: For A Summer Lunch Box, 1931 (screen print)
3036044 Sandwiches: For A Summer Lunch Box, 1931 (screen print) by American School, (20th century); (add.info.: Vintage illustration of summer sandwiches being prepared for a box lunch; screen print)

City workers lunch at Tower wharf, seated on old cannons (sepia photo)
STC347685 City workers lunch at Tower wharf, seated on old cannons (sepia photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; English, out of copyright

Individual Container for Indians Daily Portion of Food, c. 1940

The Longshoremens Noon, 1879. Creator: John George Brown
The Longshoremens Noon, 1879

Wine Goblet and Lacquer Food Box with New Years Meal, 1811

Woman Packs LunchboX Date: 1954

India, Maharashtra, Mumbai, Vital Foods dabbawalla tiffin or lunchbox carrier, loading his bicycle at Churchgate station prior to doing his morning delivery round

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England, East Sussex, Brighton, Four young schoolgirls sitting on the grass in the school playing fields having their home packed lunch meals from their lunchboxes

India, Rajasthan, Jaisalmer. Woman in traditional dress holding lunch boxes

WWII: FACTORY, 1942. An assembly worker taking a break at the Douglas Aircraft Company factory in Long Beach, California. Photograph by Alfred Palmer, October 1942

WWII: WORKER, 1942. Women assembly line workers on their lunch break at the Douglas Aircraft Company factory in Long Beach, California. Photograph by Alfred Palmer, 1942

RAILROAD WORKER, 1943. Women workers at the Chicago and North Western railroad on their lunch break in Clinton, Iowa. Photograph by Jack Delano, May 1943

Illustration of Painting and Decorating (pencil on paper)
XJF354238 Illustration of Painting and Decorating (pencil on paper) by Scharf, George the Elder (1788-1860); Private Collection; German, out of copyright

Pitta bread sandwich in open red lunchbox, bottle of orange juice and green apple on the side

Plastic lunch box open with packed lunch inside

An open lunchbox containing a roll, an apple, an orange and a drink bottle

Hands reaching into open lunchbox containing apple, drink bottle and wrapped sandwich, elevated view

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"Lunchtime brings a few minutes of rest as workers at the Douglas Aircraft Company's plant in Long Beach, California take a break in 1942. Creator Alfred T Palmer captures the moment, showcasing a girl worker absorbed in her lunch. The noontime rest provides much-needed respite for these full-fledged employees at the bustling plant. In another photograph from 1942, two assembly line workers are seen diligently enjoying their lunch break at the same Douglas Aircraft Company's Long Beach facility. These hardworking individuals find solace and nourishment amidst their busy schedules. Meanwhile, Dorothea Lange takes us back to 1939 in Malheur County, Oregon where children from Dead Ox Flat prepare to march into school after finishing their lunches, and is a reminder of how important lunchboxes were even back then, providing sustenance for young minds eager to learn. Edward L Loper's artwork showcases different iterations of lunch boxes throughout history - one from 1935/1942 and another from around 1938. These images evoke nostalgia and highlight the significance of this everyday item that carries our midday meals. The importance of sandwiches as part of a box lunch is emphasized through screen prints from 1931 by an unknown artist. Whether it be for summer or any other season, sandwiches remain a staple choice for packed lunches. A sepia photo captures city workers enjoying their meal on old cannons at Tower Wharf. This unique setting adds charm to their lunchtime routine while they recharge before returning to work. Moving away from America's industrial scene, we catch glimpses of Indian culture with an individual container designed specifically for Indians' daily portion of food around 1940. This demonstrates how diverse cultures have adapted various ways to carry and enjoy their meals during breaks. Lastly, John George Brown transports us back to 1879 with his painting "The Longshoremens Noon. " Here we witness dockworkers taking a break from their laborious tasks, sharing a communal lunch.