Original Item: Only One Available. Now this is a fantastic piece of American homefront history from WWII. This lunchbox is constructed out of a durable cardboard instead of metal in order to reserve “strategic materials” for military operations. Strategic material is any sort of raw material that is important to an individual's or organization's strategic plan and supply chain management. Lack of supply of strategic materials may leave an organization or government vulnerable to disruption of the manufacturing of products which require those materials. It can also refer to a group or department that manages these materials.

In government terms, they are materials, usually raw materials that have a particular strategic significance to a government or nation, often in time of war. Their strategic need is because of their crucial importance for either economic or military purposes. Some materials are relatively simple, but are required in great quantities during wartime. Others are obscure and technically complex. Although not required in large quantities, their irreplaceability and critical need makes them especially valuable. Foodstuffs are not generally classed as strategic materials: although vital, they are treated separately.

Techniques for replacing strategic materials with ersatz substitutes have become highly important. These also include the minimisation of or the recovery and recycling of such materials.

World War II put a heavy burden on US supplies of basic materials like food, shoes, metal, paper, and rubber. The Army and Navy were growing, as was the nation’s effort to aid its allies overseas. Civilians still needed these materials for consumer goods as well. To meet this surging demand, the federal government took steps to conserve crucial supplies, including establishing a rationing system that impacted virtually every family in the United States.

The lunchbox is in surprisingly really good condition given the age and material it was made out of. The tape/paper hinge still works as intended as does the swivel lock on the front. The handle is made from webbing similar to that of a web belt. There is a rectangular section on the side which was used to place a name card. The interior is “bare” cardboard and it still retains the top tray.

A spectacular example ready for further research and display.