Chinese Takeout Boxes Aren't Actually Chinese

When you pick up an order of rice, veggies, or noodles from your favorite Chinese takeout spot, chances are you're bringing it home in a little white box-shaped container. While these boxes have become almost synonymous with the experience of enjoying some delicious takeout food, and are often called "Chinese takeout boxes," they actually aren't Chinese at all.

In fact, the takeout boxes we bring our food home in are an entirely American invention. The boxes were patented in 1894, first called "paper pails," reported the New York Times. The inventor, Frederick Weeks Wilcox, had folded paper into a container shape and secured it with a wire handle for easy carrying. Since the entire container was made from one piece of paper, it could even be easily folded out to mimic a plate shape, eliminating the need to dirty a plate for dinner.

Since its invention, the takeout container has only seen a few minimal design changes.

Wilcox's folded paper design was actually inspired by China's neighbors to the east. The Japanese art of origami served as his inspiration for the boxes since each container was made from only a single sheet of paper. The box is designed to fold up in such a way that it would prevent any food or sauce from leaking out. Though the design was originally created to carry raw oysters, the Chinese food industry was beginning to take off in America around the time of its invention, and the two soon went hand in hand.

The boxes got a design upgrade in the 1970s. By then, the boxes had already become closely associated with Chinese takeout food, so a graphic designer at the container company now known as Fold-Pak decided to play into that association. It designed boxes featuring a graphic of a pagoda, as well as the words "Thank You" printed in red on the containers — a color that often represents happiness and good luck in Chinese culture.

Since then, the boxes have seen minimal changes. The design has stayed relatively the same, with only a minor upgrade to the type of paper used, to make them even more leakproof. Additionally, some of these boxes are now microwave-safe, sans metal wire handles, so anyone can easily heat up their leftovers for a second meal. Instead, this variety uses a bit of glue on the folded edges to prevent the boxes from opening on their own.

The containers may have become symbolic of Chinese takeout food in the west, but that sentiment doesn't ring true across the globe. These containers may be a convenient way to take your food home, but you won't be able to find them if you take a trip to China. Fold-Pak even told the New York Times that it doesn't sell any of the takeout containers in the country. So if you want to grab a bite to eat from the takeout containers that you know and love, you'll just have to enjoy some American-Chinese food in the States.