© Frank H. Jump
Robert Gair invented the corrugated box in 1890.
Brooklynite Robert Gair was a printer and paper bag maker in the 1870s. He invented the corrugated (reinforced) cardboard box by accident: a metal ruler normally used to crease bags shifted in position and cut the bag. Gair found that by cutting and creasing cardboard in one operation, he could make prefabricated cartons that were a cheaper alternative to the wood and metal boxes that merchandise had been shipped in.
Gair founded a paper empire and occupied several buildings in the area, many of which still bear his name. Information found at Wikipedia by way of Forgotten-NY.
I love this site! I was looking for faded ad scenes to paint and I’ve been looking through everything on this site- excellent. I will email you copies of my paintings if I do anything from these images.
Thank you so much. Would love to see your renderings based on one of my images. Have you looked at Sandra Walker’s watercolors?
Best,
Frank
Hello
I have what I believe to be a 100-year-old box manufactured by Robert Gair Company. It was made for Domino Sugar and is stamped with their name. The top flaps are no longer attached, but I have the pieces. Ther was an item packed in it wrapped in a German language newspaper dated 1914.
Do you know of anyone who would want this box and would pay to have it sent to them? I hate to just destroy it. Domino would like it, but said they do not have a budget to pay for shipping.
Thanks for any suggestions you can offer. Hope you can help.
How do I know if someone answered my queery? Thanks
If you don’t see any comments on this posting, then there isn’t any response. Perhaps sending an image of it will generate some interest. I will post it. I will approve any response to your query. Best of luck.
This message is for Ms. Hoerter. I would be interested in seeing a picture of the box you mentioned. I’m doing a research project that involves Robert Gair and would consider purchasing the box from you. Thank you!
To Catherine Hoerter, Robert Gair was my Great Granfather. I would love to have the box, if you still have it. Thanks, John
To John,
Do you have a photo of your grandfather, Robert Gair, which you would give permission to use in an article to be published by one of our Packaging professors?
To John:
I am the professor that Cecilia refers to. I am having trouble finding a photo of Robert Gair. Can you help me? contact me twede@msu.edu
Catherine M. Hoerter: I would be most interested in the box you describe. Please contact me through jen@markens.com.
I have a Dunham’s Cocoanut recipe bookmark printed by the Robert Gair Company, Brooklyn. I found it in a book published in 1905. Is there anyone who would like to have it? If so, please send me your email address and I can send you a picture.
Would love a picture!
Unfortunately, I can’t figure out how to add a picture here.
Send it to frankjump [at] fadingad [dot] com.
I may have one of the first labels ever printed by Robert Gair, it is from 1864 and is for a Civil War Biscuit box, it is for a company called Havenner’s Baking Co. later called Havenner baking Co.
Would anyone let me know, the food label seems to match the style of the Bent’s Celebrated Soda water wafers labels for the civil war with the use of the term “Celebrated” this box has “Celebrated Biscuits” on the label.
Regarding Robert Gair relations, I would like very much to correspond with “John” post Dec 29 2008.
Robert Gair was my Great Great Uncle , M. E. Gair his elder sister was my Great Great Grandmother married to L. Beattie my GR Great Grandfather.
My Grandfather worked for the Syracuse Corregated Box Division of Robert Gair Co.
Wow! Please forward any pictures you would like me to feature! Thanks for stopping by. Frank
When did Gair close his Utica ny plant?