HISTORY OF BOXES

Boxes are highly variable receptacles. When no shape is described, a typical rectangular box may be expected. Nevertheless, a box may have a horizontal cross section that is square, elongated, round or oval; sloped or domed top surfaces, or non-vertical sides. A box normally may be opened by raising, sliding or removing the lid, which may be hinged and/or fastened by a catch, clasp, or lock. Whatever its shape or purpose or the material of which it is fashioned, it is the direct descendant of the chest, one of the most ancient articles of domestic furniture. Its uses are innumerable, and the name, preceded by a qualifying adjective, has been given to many objects of artistic or antiquarian interest. Objects are often placed inside boxes, for a variety of reasons.

An empty corrugated box
An elaborate wooden box

Packaging Boxes

Several types of boxes are used in packaging.

• A shipping box is often made of corrugated fiberboard (also see cardboard)
• A "set-up" box is made of non-bending paperboard (also see cardboard)
• A wooden box is related to a crate
• A carton is sometimes called a box
• Cigar box

Permanent boxes

Numerous types of boxes are used in permanent installations. Some types are designed to be temporarily inhabited by workers.

Permanent boxes include the following:

Equipment boxes

• Fuse box

Compartments

• Luxury box
• Mailbox

Shelters or booths

• Police box
• Signal box
• Telephone box

Decorative boxes

Jewel box
A jewel-box is a receptacle for trinkets, not only jewels. It may take a very modest form, covered in leather and lined with satin, or it may reach the monumental proportions of the jewel cabinets which were made for Marie Antoinette, one of which is at Windsor, and another at Versailles, the work of Schwerdfeger as cabinetmaker, Degault as miniature-painter, and Thomire as chaser.

Shoebox
A shoebox is, exactly as its name implies, a cardboard box which holds a pair of shoes. It is commonly acquired when one purchases a pair of shoes. Shoeboxes have long been cherished for their versatility and are commonly used for many tasks around the house, such as holding trading cards, photos, and just about anything else.

It can also be used as an adjective to describe being unfairly treated. An example would be "Don't you shoebox me!" It is also used to describe someone with a closed minded way of thinking who prefers to generalize others unfavorably.

Strong box
A strong-box is a receptacle for money, deeds and securities. Its place has been taken in modern life by the safe. Some of those which have survived, such as that of Sir Thomas Bodley in the Bodleian library, possess locks with an extremely elaborate mechanism contrived in the under-side of the lid.

Knife box
The knife-box is one of the most charming of the minor pieces of furniture which we owe to the artistic taste and mechanical ingenuity of the English cabinet-makers of the last quarter of the 18th century. Some of the most elegant were the works of Adam, Hepplewhite and Sheraton. Occasionally flat-topped boxes, they were most frequently either rod-shaped, or tall and narrow with a sloping tip necessitated by a series of raised veins for exhibiting the handles of knives and the bowls of spoons. Mahogany and satinwood were the woods most frequently employed, and they were occasionally inlaid with marqueterie or edged with boxwood. These graceful receptacles still exist in large numbers; they are often converted into stationery cabinets.

Bible box
A Bible Box is a box made to hold Bibles. These boxes started being manufactured in the 17th century.

Etui
The etui is an ornamental box for carrying in your pocket or purse, with small tools like folding scissors, needles, hairpins, makeup pencils, etc. 18th century etui

Wooden wine box
Wooden wine boxes, also known as wooden wine crates are used to ship and store expensive wines in transit. Most wineries that use wooden boxes engrave their logo and designs on the front panel. These panels are usually highly detailed and used by wine collectors as decoration pieces for their bars or wine cellars. A typical wooden wine box holds either 6 or 12 750 ML bottles.

Famous boxes

• According to Greek mythology the Pandora's box is said to be the cause of evil being released into the world, along with hope.
• One form of camouflage in the popular Metal Gear Solid video game series is a cardboard box. It is often referred to by fans as 'The Box' or 'B.O.X'.
• The TARDIS time machine of Doctor Who is stuck in the shape of a Police box.