Heritage Shared Essays, Papers, and Poetry

Think About the Box

by Robert C. Pavlik

We have all heard that now well worn phrase, "think outside the box." Former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was a great proponent of “blowing up the boxes.”  If you have seen any of his Terminator movies you know where he got that idea from (and how far he got with it).

As for me, I like boxes.  I am not sure why we blame boxes for bad ideas or dysfunctional government.  Boxes beat bags for carrying and storing stuff.  They are strong, secure, well suited to the task.  They protect their contents. You can label them.  They keep out dust and dirt. 

In the case of the boxes pictured here, I have owned some of these sturdy wooden containers for over 35 years.  They have served as book cases, stereo stands, held albums and knick knacks.  I have loaded and unloaded them numerous times over the years.  Stacked one on top of another, with a sturdy board or a lightweight hollow core door, they make a great desk.  When your needs change, simply grab the handles and go. 

I also like to think about their original function, who made them, and who handled them before they came into my possession.  Built to carry oranges or fragile glass bottles of milk or Seven-Up, they were carefully put together and made to last.  The Arden-S milk crate, for example, comes from Seattle and was made almost 50 years ago. The LaVerne Orange Association box is 60 years old.  Where did these boxes travel, who packed, lifted, stacked and stored them?  And how did they end up at the swap meet for me to purchase for nominal amounts?  I will never know, but I do honor their history and their utility. 

Think about the box.

From the Arden Milk Company, Seattle