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. With Petra Cabot and the Skotch Kooler
Until reading her obituary yesterday, I had never heard of Petra Cabot, or the “Skotch Kooler.” Cabot invented this item, which she described as “the best-looking bucket anybody ever saw.”
The Skotch Kooler, copyrighted in 1952, was made by the Hamilton Metal Products Company of Hamilton, Ohio. It could keep ice cream firm for two to three hours without ice and was handy for a fishing trip: it kept groceries cold on the way to the lake and fish cold on the way back.
The container held (https://www.capefearcardiology.com/ambien-zolpidem-online/) four gallons and had three layers of insulation: one of fiberglass, one of inert air and a heat-reflecting outer surface. It was airtight and waterproof and, long before the practice was common, it carried the signature of its designer. (Knockoff versions, without the signature, were made as far away as Thailand.) The coolers are now popular collectibles.
In fact, the image above is something I swiped from an eBay listing. Looks a bit chavvy, doesn’t it?
One other note about Ms. Cabot from the obit: “From 1938 until 1950, she worked for the designer Russel Wright, who brought modernism to the American home with his inexpensive, mass-produced dinnerware, furniture, appliances and textiles.”
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Reader Comments
Funnily enough, it caugh my eye too. “the best-looking bucket anybody ever saw.” is a great line. Josh Rubin needs to flag it as the must-have purchase for this holiday season!
I started collecting Skotch coolers awhile ago, although lately they’re way too pricey. I never really noticed until after reading your post, but the cooler’s lid boasts that it is “A Petra Cabot design.” It’s still easy to carry and use. The knockoffs are considerably less handsome — even downright clunky. Did her design inspire all those 1960s red-plaid Thermos bottles and lunchboxes? Wow.
Love the photo in the obit.
Irene, I can’t say for certain about whether her use of the Scottish plaid inspired the Thermos- and lunchbox-makers. Honestly I had never even heard of these “Koolers” till the other day. Now, of course, I covet one.
All the more reason — along with the rising prices for the collectibles — that Piers is right, and Josh R. needs to stamp these things with the Cool marker, asap..