I usually don't talk about my personal life on this blog, but I just finished a box of Handi-Wrap from 1974.
In the picture above if you look closely at the small print on the lower left you can see I'm not kidding - "1974 The Dow Chemical Company Indianapolis Indiana."How this box come into my possession is not remarkable, but it was given to me un-opened about seven years ago. I didn't realize it was that old until after I opened it and found that it had lost all its power to cling.
Anyways it looks like Handi-Wrap is no longer manufactured, and even if it was I doubt many boxes from 1974 are still around. So as a public service, I present a historical artifact for the enrichment of peoples of the Internet. Maybe someone studying package design from the 1970's, or a art director from That 70's Show (yeah, I know it's been canceled, but let's just go with it for now) who has to dress a grocery store set will find this post useful.
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sideAnd just for good measure here's a Handi-Wrap commercial...
I certainly hope you didn't throw that box away!
ReplyDeleteYep, Dave, Google search is EXACTLY how I found your blog! I just read an article about 10 brand names that had been discontinued and Handi-Wrap was one of them. I was like, what? No Handi-Wrap? I even checked the name on the old box of plastic wrap tucked away in a kitchen drawer, cuz I thought for sure it was Handi-Wrap! (Nope: Cling Wrap by Glad) I guess that's the power of brand imprints. I buy the stuff so rarely (I think I've had my current box of Cling Wrap for about 5 years) I don't really think about it and simply attached the childhood name I had for it: Handi-Wrap!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Tokyo--I hope you saved the box!
nice! I too have a very old hand wrap box. I was trying to figure out how old it is. My box doesnt have the date on it.
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing.
My mom told me a few months back to help myself to some plastic & foil wrap boxes she was never going to use up. I found a box of HandiWrap with the copyright date of 1992 (22 years ago, only one year after she moved there). I love that you have one from 1974! I hope you saved the box...
ReplyDeleteDavid, I too found your article while doing an internet search on Glad Wrap and Handi-Wrap. Similar to you, I have *two* rolls of "1974" Handi-wrap. I put the "1974" in quotes because my boxes - just like yours - have the ubiquitous UPC (aka barcode) on it; the problem is, the very first commercial use of a UPC was in July of 1974 at a test supermarket in Troy, Ohio. I'm just wondering if "1974" was a left over - an oversight - on boxes for several years thereafter (and even though manufactured in 1978, they would have both the "1974" and the UPC symbol), or if these boxes are even more significantly historical than originally thought, in that they could be among the first to have a commercially viable UPC printed on them. Hmmm... Mike
ReplyDeleteI, too, just finished a box of Handi-Wrap that has 1974 on it. It was 200 sq. ft. so it took me longer. The box is very shabby, and I have no idea how old it is. I was googling where to buy more when I came across this site. So I guess I have to switch brands after all this time. Joanne
ReplyDeleteI miss handing wrap. It was the best of its kind --- so much so,in fact that I made sure I would not forget which is which brand. How? "Handi is dandy. Glad is bad.".
DeleteI miss handing wrap. It was the best of its kind --- so much so,in fact that I made sure I would not forget which is which brand. How? "Handi is dandy. Glad is bad.".
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ReplyDeleteI just finished off a box of Handi-Wrap II. Copyright on the box is 1986, so it's possible I purchased the box in Indiana, moved it to Ohio, and later to Washington state.
ReplyDeleteI called the company years ago to complain, Handi Wrap narrowed the roll by about 1/4 to 1/2 inch. One piece used to cover one plate, but now you'd need 2 to cover the plate.
ReplyDeleteJust got one unopened box of handy wrap from Midland Michigan dated 1966 in mint condition
ReplyDeleteI was just watching a Friends rerun, and noticed a Handi Wrap box on the show. I searched to find out if it was still manufactured, and it took me to this blog. Thanks!!
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ReplyDeleteSaran Wrap was 1949
Handi-Wrap was 1960
Saran Wrap i think is still available i've seen just called Saran
But here's an interesting quote
What happened to Saran Wrap?
Today's Saran Wrap is no longer composed of PVDC in the United States, due to cost, processing difficulties, health and environmental concerns with halogenated materials, and is now made from polyethylene. However, polyethylene has a higher oxygen permeability, which in turn affects food spoilage prevention.
.......
I've heard the best alternative now is Bee's Wrap.
One question did anyone ever see the green and orange and white Handi-Wrap? That's the color i remember most, but it could be Dow wanted different colors for Canada.