SHRINK-WRAPPED MODEL BOXES

[paul alflen]

WHEN DID THEY START SEALING BOXES IN SHRINK WRAP? I NEED TO KNOW A CORRECT ANSWER FOR A TRIVIA QUESTION ON FRIDAY NIGHT AT OUR MODEL MEETING!

Edited May 18, 2011 by paul alflen

[george 53]

Hey, kidd-o, ya better let ME in on the answer, or I'll tell everybody you cheated!!!!!!!

[MikeMc]

October 17th, 1972

What the heck...nobody will know any better

[paul alflen]

THATS GOOD STASH IT MADE ME LAUGH! NO THE THEME IS YOUR OLDEST KIT BUT I THINK IT WAS CHANGED TO THE OLDEST SEALED KIT. I HAVE AN OLD JOHAN KIT FROM 1966 SEALED WITH A KMART PRICE TAG ON IT OF 1.44 . I NEED TO KNOW WHEN MPC, AMT, JOHAN, STARTED TO SHRINK WRAP FOR REFEERENCE PURPOSES! ANYONE? ART ANDERSON? HELP? GEORGE 53? ANYONE?

[ra7c7er]

Could it be a trick question? I have seen kits as old as 1963 sealed. I would have thought they shrink wrapped them from the very beginning.

[Modelmartin]

The older kits were taped shut. AMT had special printed tape on the early 60s annuals. I don't remember shrinkwrapping being on kits in stores until early 70s but could not tell you the exact year. If you see shrinkwrapped kits from about 68-69 or older they were not shrinkwrapped when new, that is for sure!

[george 53]

I would guess in the early 70's. My wife worked at K-Mart when we first married, in 72, and she made mention of how the kids couldn't (or so she thought) Open the kits anymore to steal parts. This was in 1972 so I would think that was when they first started wrapping them. Before that, they were taped shut with either white tape or clear tape. Hope this helps.

[ra7c7er]

The older kits were taped shut. AMT had special printed tape on the early 60s annuals. I don't remember shrinkwrapping being on kits in stores until early 70s but could not tell you the exact year. If you see shrinkwrapped kits from about 68-69 or older they were not shrinkwrapped when new, that is for sure!

Good to know. Every once in a while I see kits on evilbay from the 60's claiming to be shrink wrapped. Now I know they are fake.

[paul alflen]

MODELMARTIN & GEORGE 53, I CHECKED MY SEALED KIT WITH THE KMART PRICE TAG. IT WAS DATED 4/7/71 . SO WITH YOUR INFORMATION I WAS ABLE TO ANSWER MY QUESTION.THANKS ALSO TO MODELMARTIN FOR YOUR SHARP MEMORY! THAT GIVES ME AN IDEA ABOUT THE TIME AND START OF KIT SHRINK WRAPPING! THANKS ALSO TO GEORGE53, FOR HAVING A WIFE WHO WORKED AT K-MART IN THE 1970'S.

Edited May 18, 2011 by paul alflen

[george 53]

And Thank YOU Paul, for haveing a wife who'll put up with yer crazy self!!!!! Besides, I LIKE her! :lol:

[paul alflen]

AMEN, BROTHER GEORGE 53,AMEN!