PACKAGING IN HISTORY

The history of packaging has evolved with the history of mankind. Throughout the centuries, new ways that use new materials have been developed. Starting with wood, a readily available material, then going on to use glass, pottery and metal, until the advent of tinplate at the beginning of the 20th century and plastics after World War II.

Three typologies of packaging

It is generally acknowledged that there are three basic types of packaging. Primary packaging is seen at points of sale and both its function and graphic design is aimed towards sales units. It is the case of bottles that contain water or soft drinks, tins of tuna fish or peas, detergent or shampoo bottles, or CD cases.

Secondary packaging is used for selling a certain number of units. Once it has been removed, the product is left with its primary packaging. Examples of secondary packaging are the wrapping on six bottles of water, the wrapping on several tins of tuna fish or peas, boxes that contain 10 CDs, or the packet of different products that children eat for afternoon tea.

Tertiary packaging has been designed for transport purposes; that is, for moving a large number of sales units and, except in special cases, it never reaches the end user.