Swanson TV Dinner Tray

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .

IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.

View manifest View in Mirador Viewer

Swanson's TV Dinner tray

Object Details

maker

Swanson Company

Description

The TV dinner represented a change in the way Americans were thinking about food. Introduced in 1954 by Swanson & Sons, of Omaha, Nebraska, it offered women--more and more of whom were working outside the home but still assumed to be responsible for cooking--an alternative to time-consuming meal preparations. The prepackaged TV dinner appealed to busy families because it required little time or effort and yet provided a well-balanced, nutritious meal.

Credit Line

Campbell Soup Company

ID Number

1987.0265.01

accession number

1987.0265

catalog number

1987.0265.01

Object Name

TV dinner tray

Physical Description

aluminum (overall material)

Measurements

overall: 7 in x 9 in x 3/4 in; 17.78 cm x 22.86 cm x 1.905 cm

referenced

United States: Nebraska, Omaha

United States: Nebraska

Related Publication

Kendrick, Kathleen M. and Peter C. Liebhold. Smithsonian Treasures of American History

See more items in

Work and Industry: Food Technology

Food

National Treasures exhibit

Exhibition

Food: Transforming the American Table

Exhibition Location

National Museum of American History

Data Source