History
The lunchbox you toted in elementary school was very likely an Aladdin lunchbox. From Hopalong Cassidy to Superman, Mickey Mouse, and The Jetsons, Aladdin pioneered image licensing back in the 50s and became a leader in the lunchbox industry from then on.
Aladdin’s early years
Aladdin’s beginnings trace back to lamps. It began in 1908, when Victor Samuel Johnson Sr, formed the Mantle Lamp Company of America and in 1912 began manufacturing mantle lamps that gave off a steady white light without smoke. He called these lamps “Aladdin lamps,” after the magical lamp and wish-granting genie in the popular children’s story. The Aladdin name was born.
In 1917, Johnson diversified and began producing insulated cooking dishes that marked the company’s first venture into heat and cold retaining dishes. In 1919, Johnson moved these jars into a new subsidiary called Aladdin Industries. When Johnson Sr. passed away in 1943 his son took over as president and in 1949 moved Aladdin to Nashville, Tennessee.
Lunch
Aladdin began producing metal lunch boxes in the 40s and by the 50s Aladdin was an industry leader in this category and would remain so for the next 30 years. Aladdin’s dominance in lunch products resulted from a strategic move in the early 50s to license popular character images on its products. Hopalong Cassidy was the first character licensed product and in its first year, sales skyrocketed from 50,000 units to 600,000 units. Aladdin had struck a chord with consumers nationwide. Lunch would never look the same again.
80’s - Today
During the 80s and 90s Aladdin continued to grow and began selling other food and beverage products such as foam insulated mugs and Aladdin’s products were sold in grocery chains and drugstores nationwide. Unfortunately, during this time, Aladdin also began to struggle.
Recognizing the value of Aladdin, and determined to bring new life to the iconic brand, PMI purchased Aladdin in 2002. Since then the brand has seen significant growth and has once again become a leader in innovation. Today not only does the Aladdin provide women with stylish, functional food and beverage products, it’s once again pioneering the use of new materials and technologies to revolutionize how we enjoy food and beverages.