THE HISTORY OF DUNBAR POPCORN BOXES
Picture A -
From the 1934 Dunbar Popcorn Catalog
THE HISTORY OF DUNBAR POPCORN BOXES
Dunbar & Co produced its own line of popcorn boxes, which were only sold to owners of Dunbar popcorn equipment. The different box styles illustrate the advancement in printing technology throughout this period. The first Dunbar popcorn box was printed in blue ink over a white box. The only example of this style of box that we are aware of is owned by Cretors and Company and is on display in the Wyandot Popcorn Museum in Marion, Ohio (Picture B). In 1929, Dunbar & Co produced its first two-color popcorn box. It was printed with the two colors blue and red ink on a white box and we are aware of examples of this popcorn box in several sizes (Picture C). In the 1940's Dunbar & Co literature shows a three-color popcorn box consisting of blue, red and yellow ink on a white popcorn box. We are not aware of any existing examples of this popcorn box.
The production of these popcorn boxes was greatly influenced by worldwide events such as the Great Depression, World War II and the Korean War. This was due to the rationing of paper during the wars. Consider how much paper the world's largest armies consumed during a conflict at this time in history (pre-computers). The Great Depression of 1929 through the beginning of World War II would have also economically limited the production of popcorn boxes.
Dunbar also produced a second line of boxes for their Kiwi Kandied Korn products. We are not aware of any existing examples of these boxes.
1/4 pound peanut celluloid bags were also very commonly used by purveyors of roasted peanuts. We are not aware that peanut bags were ever printed with the Dunbar & Co name.
Dunbar & Co produced its own line of popcorn boxes, which were only sold to owners of Dunbar popcorn equipment. The different box styles illustrate the advancement in printing technology throughout this period. The first Dunbar popcorn box was printed in blue ink over a white box. The only example of this style of box that we are aware of is owned by Cretors and Company and is on display in the Wyandot Popcorn Museum in Marion, Ohio (Picture B). In 1929, Dunbar & Co produced its first two-color popcorn box. It was printed with the two colors blue and red ink on a white box and we are aware of examples of this popcorn box in several sizes (Picture C). In the 1940's Dunbar & Co literature shows a three-color popcorn box consisting of blue, red and yellow ink on a white popcorn box. We are not aware of any existing examples of this popcorn box.
The production of these popcorn boxes was greatly influenced by worldwide events such as the Great Depression, World War II and the Korean War. This was due to the rationing of paper during the wars. Consider how much paper the world's largest armies consumed during a conflict at this time in history (pre-computers). The Great Depression of 1929 through the beginning of World War II would have also economically limited the production of popcorn boxes.
Dunbar also produced a second line of boxes for their Kiwi Kandied Korn products. We are not aware of any existing examples of these boxes.
1/4 pound peanut celluloid bags were also very commonly used by purveyors of roasted peanuts. We are not aware that peanut bags were ever printed with the Dunbar & Co name.
Picture B
Picture C