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Summary of article:
Although the American take-out white box for Chinese food originated from the oyster bucket design in the 19th century, it became a classic symbol symbolizing the integration of convenience and immigrant culture with the popularity of Chinese food and packaging and marketing after World War II.
It’s a classic icon, a small white box made from a piece of cardboard folded into a trapezoid shape. Sometimes it comes with a metal handle, sometimes with a bright red Chinese pagoda pattern printed on its side. The box is full of delicious food.
The Associated Press reported that this Chinese food takeout box, which can be seen everywhere across the United States, is actually the most “American” thing in the world. It combines simplicity,migrant Inclusion of culture and desire for convenience in local life.
The concept of what is essentially a paper bucket dates back to 1894, when inventor Frederick Weeks Wilcox received a patent for a “practical improvement” on the oyster bucket. This container is folded from a single piece of cardboard, which not only provides structural stability and reduces leakage, but also acts as a lid.
This is the part about containers. So, what is our intuition about what food is inside?
In the mid-19th century, Chinese immigrants began coming to the United States to participate in the gold rush and in railroad construction. They created communities known as Chinatowns,san francisco It developed in other places and then spread throughout the United States. These communities are home to many food bastions, and it is where the foundation of the American-Chinese food style was laid.
Michelle King, professor of Chinese history at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said, “After World War II,Chinese restaurant With a large number of restaurants opening, menus are no longer limited to chop suey and chow mein, and we are seeing an explosive growth in public interest and demand for Chinese food. “
He said that the main thing is that it has also popularized Chinese food in the minds of the public due to its cheap prices, convenience and speed. Restaurant owners also want to make their establishments more accessible and takeout plays a role in this. “You need to pack something to take home, or you want to host a dinner party and need catering, we can help, right?” Professor King said.
In the 1970s, a packaging company called Fold-Pak printed a pagoda pattern on the outside of cartons, sometimes with a few words, and used a distinctive font that was often used to stereotype Chinese culture.
“It has become an iconic item in American Chinese restaurants, as the pizza box is to Italian cuisine,” King said.
Nowadays, there are many styles of take-out boxes, and the food landscape is more diverse. All types of exotic dishes can be packed in this paper box, developed from oyster barrels.
Nevertheless, the little white box is still a classic, and has even become a real icon. If you don’t believe it, search for “takeout” or “takeout” in the emoticons on your phone and see!
Summary FAQ
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Its prototype can be traced back to 1894, when inventor Wilcox received a patent for the oyster barrel. Folded from a single piece of cardboard, this container has the characteristics of stable structure, low leakage and can be used as a box lid.
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As Chinese immigrants established Chinatowns and food outposts in the United States, the number of Chinese restaurants increased after World War II, and takeout culture also expanded, leading to Chinese food being seen as an affordable, convenient, and fast option.
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In the 1970s, packaging companies printed pagoda patterns and distinctive fonts on the box body, giving it a distinctive Chinese symbol. It then became a representative item in American Chinese restaurants, similar to the pizza box for Italian cuisine.
