A Chronicle of Containment Solutions
In the ancient world, food was consumed where it was found, with families and villages being self-sufficient. Nature provided gourds, shells, and leaves for early containers, while grasses and later reeds were made into baskets to store food surpluses [1].
The first significant leap in food packaging came with the use of paper, the oldest form of flexible packaging. Chinese people used sheets of treated mulberry bark to wrap foods as early as the first or second century B.C. [1].
The safe preservation of foods in metal containers began in France in the early 1800s, with food sealed in tin containers and sterilized by boiling. The process of tin plating was discovered in Bohemia in A.D. 1200, and cans of iron, coated with tin, were known in Bavaria as early as the 14th century [1].
Innovations continued to shape the landscape of food packaging. In 1868, interior enamels for cans were developed, and the first can opener was invented in 1875 [1]. Double seam closures using a sealing compound were not available until 1888 [1].
The development of paper packaging significantly contributed to food preservation and transportation. Paper packaging provided a lightweight, protective, and versatile material that could resist moisture, oils, and other contaminants, thus maintaining food quality throughout the supply chain [2]. This innovation enabled easier handling, more efficient cold-chain logistics, and enhanced product visibility and convenience for both frozen and shelf-stable foods [2].
Key contributions of paper packaging include protection and preservation, facilitation of cold-chain logistics, automation and customization, and sustainability [2]. Paper-based packaging is engineered to resist oil and moisture, helping maintain the integrity and freshness of food during storage and transport [2]. Its performance in refrigerated and frozen conditions helps streamline the transportation and retail display of temperature-sensitive foods [2].
Paper packaging supports compatibility with automated packaging machinery, reducing labor costs and waste, while offering customizable shapes and finishes that help brands differentiate products on shelves [2]. As a renewable and biodegradable resource, paper packaging addresses environmental concerns tied to earlier petroleum-based plastics, aligning with modern demands for sustainability in food packaging [2][3].
In the last two decades, the Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE) container became available, and the first printed metal boxes were made in the United States for cakes of Dr. Lyon's tooth powder in the 1830s [1]. Collapsible, soft metal tubes, known as "flexible packaging," were first used for artist's paints in 1841 [1].
The first commercial cardboard box was produced in England in 1817 [1]. Styrene was first distilled from a balsam tree in 1831, and vinyl chloride was discovered in 1835, providing for the further development of rubber chemistry [1].
The first aluminum foil containers were designed in the early 1950s, and the safe preservation of foods in metal containers led to other products being made available in metal boxes [1]. The development of the carton was accidental, with the first automatically made carton, now referred to as "semi-flexible packaging," being created in the 1870s [1].
In summary, the evolution of food packaging has been a long and fascinating journey, marked by numerous inventions and innovations that have transformed the global food supply chain. From nature-provided containers to modern-day paper and metal packaging, each development has played a crucial role in preserving food, ensuring safety, and enhancing convenience for consumers worldwide [2][4].
References: [1] History of Packaging. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.historyofpackaging.com/ [2] The Evolution of Packaging: A Historical Perspective. (2021, March 18). Retrieved from https://www.packagingdigest.com/sustainability/the-evolution-of-packaging-a-historical-perspective-2021-03-18 [3] Sustainable Packaging: A Brief History. (2020, June 25). Retrieved from https://www.packaging-business-review.com/sustainability/sustainable-packaging-brief-history-040620/ [4] The History of Milk Packaging. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.milkhistory.org/milk-history/milk-packaging/
The emergence of science and technology in the industrial age paved the way for advancements in food packaging. In the early 1800s, French innovators introduced metal containers to safely preserve foods, while the process of tin plating was discovered centuries earlier in Bohemia [1].
Finance played a significant role in the development of packaging as the innovation of paper packaging significantly contributed to food preservation, transportation, and sustainability [2]. Paper packaging reduced labor costs, improved product visibility, and addressed environmental concerns tied to earlier petroleum-based plastics [2].
