“Food” at the American History Museum

“Food,” at the Museum of American History, tells the story of how Americans changed food, and food changed America, from 1950 to 2000. Photograph by Jeff Martin.

The common table. It is a centerpiece of the exhibition, just as it has also become a feature of many restaurants. Photograph by Jeff Martin.

An ancient doughnut-making machine, which represents the advent of automation. Photograph by Jeff Martin.

Gatorade, in its first incarnation, in 1969. Photograph by Jeff Martin.

The original Pringles container, late 1960s. Photograph by Jeff Martin.

One of the very first microwave ovens, circa 1955, from Tappan. Photograph by Jeff Martin.

The crock pot was born in 1975; this is one of the first. Photograph by Jeff Martin.

The rise of the car culture also created the “drive-through” trend in fast food, which begat the plastic lid for coffee cups. Here’s the lid in all its patented forms. Photograph by Jeff Martin.

The Virginia wine industry has a special place in the exhibition. Photograph by Jeff Martin.

What did we do without fondue pots? Here’s one of the first, from the 1970s. Photograph by Jeff Martin.

The influence of ethnic foods, particularly Asian cuisine, is reflected in the popularity of the rice cooker. This one from 1972, made by National, was one of the first to gain popularity in the US. Photograph by Jeff Martin.