s a concept the lunch box is as precious and utilised but unacknowledged as the bicycle.  The spread was quick and wide and happening until this day.  Interestingly, the container, the metal and the shape took to local influence, knowledge and needs. The lunch box is used by the elite as well as the man on the street.   In 1765, John Montagu, fourth Earl of Sandwich, orders roast beef between slices of toast to be brought to him at a gaming table, thereby inventing the lunch staple which bears his name “Sandwich”. Later this became the most portable food ever prepared on earth.

1810 - The First patent for a tin-plated iron can in England was            made.
1818 - Tin-plated can was introduced in America.
1825 - First tin-plated can patented in the United States.
1800 - Empty tobacco, cookie, and biscuit tins used as lunch            boxes.

1902 - First American lithographed tin lunch box shaped.

Like a little picnic basket was manufactured and became famous very soon. 

1907 - Saw the first American “thermos” lunch box made in Brooklyn, New York, by the
           American Thermos Bottle Company.
1911 - American Thermos made first workman’s lunch kit with thermos box.
1920 - Witnessed the American Thermos made first plain, flat children’s lunch kit which
           had a great demand.
1931 - Ohio Art (formerly Spencer, Bartlett and Company) produces sports and  
           transported its first tin lunch box in convenient shapes which was of great use to
           outside goers.
In late 90s, there were different types of lunch boxes in different shapes, made out of different materials, to meet the demands of different sectors of the population. Tin, steel, glass and plastic were used to make lunch boxes. Various sized boxes were introduced; an American Company also introduced the most convenient brunch boxes, which was accepted by the Public. Thus lunch boxes spread throughout the world and became a vital and most useful item in many of our lives.

This Lunch Box forms a part of the personal collection of Mr. Steve Borgia, originally sourced from the Vellore barracks about 150 Kms from Madras City. Vellore was known for the existence of very active British Missionaries and army.  They were the first to get accustomed to the local lifestyle. This Lunch Box is a typical confluence of ethnic shapes and English need, designed to meet British fancies and eating habits. Such lunch boxes originally appeared in iron cast, later coated with porcelain. During the Victorian era, they took to lighter materials which paved way for glass and ended up with silver, stainless steel, etc. In India, the journey of containers was through bamboo, mud, wood and went into brass and copper.  Of course the royals over did it.  Most often it was silver and sometimes Gold, studded with precious stones. This fancy Lunch Box also known as a Tiffin carrier is made out of mixed metal. The spoon attachment reveals its nexus with the British Raj.