Classic and vintage lunchboxes are sturdy and attractive, and are popular collector's items. Some believe that the basic design of a modern-day lunchbox may have originated in tins created by tobacco companies in the late 1800s, which were sometimes reused to carry lunches. These tins frequently had one or two handles and came in a variety of colors, some even featuring detailed artwork. Such items are avidly sought after by collectors of lunch boxes and tobacciana.

Metal lunch boxes came along after World War II. The manufacturers of these original metal lunchboxes also came up with the idea of the matching thermos bottle, which has since been an irreplaceable partner to the lunch box. But perhaps their greatest idea was to decorate each lunch box with a movie or television hero.

Most of the collectible lunchboxes available in the market were produced by three leading lunchbox companies between the 1950s and the 1990s. Many of them are metal, though vinyl or plastic ones are also popular. Some are square, while others feature the curious dome-top box. The dome-top 'School bus' lunchbox is considered to be the best-selling lunchbox of all time.

During the school years, a lunchbox would be more than just a practical solution to carry your lunch around. It was also able to encapsulate some of the most treasured moments of a child's growth and development. The positive childhood memories associated with lunchboxes may be what drives many adults into collecting them for pleasure.