A hundred years ago this month, the May 1921 issue of Popular Science showed how to make your own boxes. According to the item, it was frequently the case that you needed a box, but didn’t have one of the proper shape and size. With a piece of stout paper, it was possible to make one yourself capable of containing solids, even paper. And if you needed a container for liquids, the same could be done with parafined paper (what we would call wax paper today).

In addition to the practical uses around the house, the younger student looking for a science fair project could compare the qualities of various types of paper in forming boxes.  Of course, if one needs a box with a lid, a second, slightly larger, box could be made to slip snugly over the first.

The idea had been sent in to the magazine by one Peter P. Lembo.