Cans of drinking water

Details

Descriptive Terms

cans (containers)
metal
drinking water
Bottle, Drinking
Bottle, Water
Bottle, Water

Label

In response to the heightened anxiety of the Cold War, the government authorized the Federal Civil Defense Administration to teach people how to prepare for a nuclear assault. The agency's instructions focused on suburban households, believing that nuclear attacks would be aimed at cities where there would be few survivors. Suburban homeowners were encouraged to build bomb shelters in their basements or backyards, and to fill them with enough food to feed the family for at least two weeks. These supplies, including a nutritious mixture of raisins, peanuts and dried apples, called pemmican, were stored in a shelter in the basement of a home in Wayland, Massachusetts, in a box marked “In case of: Atomic Warfare or Hurricanes."

Inscription

"U.S. COAST GUARD / APPROVAL NO. 160.026/28/0. / EMERGENCY / DRINKING / WATER / MACDONALD-BERNIER CO. / BOSTON, MASS. / CONTENTS APPROX. 10 2/3 OZ." (Black text)
"L 7 / 5 58" (stamped)
"L 26 / 7 61" (stamped)

Additional Identification Number

277.2

Maker

MacDonald-Bernier Co. (Manufacturer)

Dimensions

5 (H), 2 3/4 (diameter) (inches)

Credit Line

Gift of Nena Robbins

Accession Number

2011.119.2.1-.7