The development history of lunch boxes

The predecessor of lunch boxes is food boxes, which are large boxes that can be carried and picked up to hold food, tableware or other gifts. Food boxes were utensils used by the people in the old days to hold food. With the development and changes of the times, they have completely faded out of people's lives today and have become a collection on the antique market.
In ancient times, when gentry and celebrities went out to visit friends, or participated in the activities of poetry and literary societies, and drank with close friends, they would often prepare some food and fruits in advance as appetizers to help with the fun. In early spring, when literati and scholars went out for outings, they would also carry wine and food for picnics. Food boxes are long boxes specially used to hold food and wine, and are easy to carry and walk. They are made of wood, bamboo, enamel, lacquerware and other materials, among which wood is the majority. In particular, hardwoods with fine textures and bright colors such as red sandalwood, huanghuali, chicken wing wood, and rosewood are strong and tough. The food boxes made of them are resistant to bumps and have a certain weight, so they are not easy to shake when carried. In addition, most of the furniture in ancient times was mortise and tenon structure, and hardwood has a unique advantage in splicing and production. The exquisitely crafted hardwood lunch box can not only be watertight, but also make full use of the inherent texture and color of the wood in appearance, giving people a sense of elegance and solemnity, which is both beautiful and practical.
The lunch box evolved from the food box. With the historical development of society, the function of the food box in people's lives has been replaced by a lighter lunch box.