I’m getting the feeling that for many household products, aluminum was the standard before plastic had it’s big breakthrough. These aluminum cups were popular in the 1940s and ’50s in the same settings where today plastic is the number one material of choice: barbecues, parties and picnics.
Bascal Aluminum Tumbler, 1950s
The two main manufacturers of aluminum tumblers were Sunburst and the Italian company Bascal. The cups came in bright colors – purple, pink, red, blue, silver and a variety of other hues. The aluminum was anodized – a process that protects aluminum from oxidation, increases wear resistance, and promotes color retention. Still, these cups are not recommended for dishwashers, as their colors will fade faster than with hand washing.
Bascal
With their humble size, these cups are a bit out-dated for today’s soda lovers. They hold a mere 11 oz of liquid. The current 7-11 Super Gulp measures a mammoth 64 fluid oz.
Since last week’s article on aluminum ice cube trays, I’ve done a fair amount of additional research on the health concerns of aluminum. Just type in “aluminum health” or “aluminum kitchenware health” into Google, Yahoo, or one of the other search engines, and you’ll get thousands of results. The main objects of attack are deodorants, baking soda, cheap cheese (as used in cheeseburgers), and of course, cookware.
The discussions are very emotional (which is understandable, considering a the possible consequence of Alzheimer’s), but are also unfortunately rarely based on scientific studies. It seems studies backing up either side are hard to come by, or don’t appear to exist at all. What a pickle. We actually have an article devoted to the discussion of health issues concerning aluminum. Since I now own both an aluminum ice cube tray and this green tumbler, I really wanted to know if they’re safe for my tequila gimlet at this year’s first cookout.
10 Comments
Aluminum in cheap cheese? I can’t wait to read about that.
nice set on the ‘bay w own churchkey and case. http://tinyurl.com/yejthj6
Holy Toledo! I was thinking about these when you posted the aluminum ice cube trays. My grandparents had them, in all different colors, and there is nothing better for sipping Hawaiian Fruit Punch on a hot summer day in Pasadena. Lots of ice, and you can just watch the condensation forming, mostly up to the high-water (high-punch?) line. I recommend sipping from a supine position, in the clover under a shady oak tree. Or if you have a porch swing, that would also be ideal.
I remember the aluminium dishes, spoons, forks and pots on our excursions with the boy scouts when I was about ten (almost 30 years ago) The most important was, that it was lightweight to carry and qualified for the open fire place.
I have to say that aluminum has recently become one of my mortal enemies. I am studying in Iceland, which is a country ‘blessed’ with the presence of some of the most polluting industries in the world. Guess what their trade? (Hint: it’s the subject of your article!) Right! It’s aluminum! This is a very controversial material and I think that we can find an alternative for designing our cups and ice cube trays. I am in the process of becoming eco-friendly in my shopping habits without becoming too preachy. It’s difficult and there are so many factors that go into weighing these decisions. If I come across anything then I will let you know. Good luck on your research of the health effects! And increased risk of cancer or Alzheimer’s would not be a nice parting gift for a barbeque.
i remember my dad having the aluminum cups i think he said back when he was a boy in the 40s and 50s cottage cheese came in them well i have been looking all over the place for them and now found a website that sales them so i will be buying them
Growing up my Grandmother had four tumblers and I’m sure she said that she initially bought them with cottage cheese in them. She used them as part of her regular drinkware even during the 70′s and 80′s. I remember her putting juice in them and then freezing them on a hot summer day and then letting us go at them with a spoon. I was smart enough once to lick the bottom of the cup, not smart as you can imagine. When my Grandfather passed away 14 years ago my mom asked me if there was anything I would like and I told her about the cups. My Grandmother said I could have them, but didn’t know why I would even want them. My Grandmother just passed away this last week and so I brought them down from the top shelf where they have been sitting for several years and was showing my kids. They bring back great memories of the time I spent with my Grandparents. I can still smell my Grandpa’s Pepsi as he poured it over some ice in these very cups. He’d let me take a sip and that is what I think of every time I open a Pepsi and take in the smell. I’ll cherrish my cups forever. They are a scratched and dented around the top, but they held their color nice, probably because my Grandma didn’t have a dishwasher. Thank you for your site and the background of where these things came from.
I just saw a big set of those bascal tumblers on ebay. I might pull the trigger they look cool!
Yes, these tumblers came with cottage cheese in them.
Well I’ve been trying to find out something about the Bascel cup for quit awhile now. What do the letters on the bottom mean on them? We own quit a few of the cups because that’s what my boyfriend has always drank his chocolate milk out of since he was a child and that Is what he still uses. So we were just trying to find out what the letters on the bottom mean. Thanks Marlene