As the summer wanes, it
is the time of year we prepare for going back-to-school. The start of each
school year is accompanied by annual traditions from buying school supplies to
meeting the teacher. The school supply
list like everything else has changed some over time. A new addition in the
late 20th century was the graphing calculator. My first graphing
calculator was a Casio. It was the first technology purchased for me to use at
school. Supply lists from more recent years listed tech items like usb drives
and headphones as recommend. This year you can go back to school with the
history of common school supplies.
Lunch Boxes
Lunch boxes began as utilitarian
products. As the 20th century progressed and school attendance
became mandatory, the lunch box became a consumer item market for children. The
lunch box was a way for children to share their interests. From Star Wars to
Barbie, there was a lunch box for every interest and fashion. More than one
Histocrat had a Star Wars lunch box. The Smithsonian has some great examples
for you to enjoy. If you find lunch box art interesting, you can even visit the
Lunch Box Museum
in Columbus, Georgia. NPR will give you a
sneak peek before you go with their exploration of The
History of Lunch Box.
Pencils
School
is one of the many venues for which pencils are produced. Even without
standardized testing, the #2 pencil is common school supply. The history of the
pencil is riddled with tales of Henry
David Thoreau and innovations by NASA. Pencils as well have become a canvas for pop culture
imagery. From cartoon images to pithy
statements, the pencil has moved beyond its origin
as a simple writing tool. Many children
of the 1990s remember the vivid colors and patterns of Lisa Frank school
supplies.
Backpacks
Backpacks are another
staple of the modern school experience. The history of the backpack
can be traced to the great outdoors. Innovations in hiking equipment and rucksacks
contributed to the birth of the modern school backpack. This timeline highlights the
contributions of Gerry Outdoors to the backpack like the use of nylon. The
demand for backpacks in modern times gave birth to new products. JanSport began
making backpacks in 1967. The product has changed over time. In the 1990s,
headphone ports were added to backpack. The backpacks of the 2017 Back-to-School
season come in a variety of colors and sizes with features for modern school
tools like laptops.
What was your most prized
school supply? What are your favorite memories of the start of the school
year? How will you mark the occasion
this year? No matter how you get started
make plans to enjoy a history this school year.
