Remember When Back-to-School Lunch Box Was a Plain Contraption?

Lunch boxes have changed in design and shape over the years, but the basic idea is the same. Along with space inside for a cold drink, sandwich and snack, the cover is devoted to a favorite cartoon, character, TV show or movie.

That's why Justin Bieber and Darth Vader and Japanese cartoon characters are staring out at shoppers from the shelves of department stores.

Back in the '70s, the lunch boxes were aluminum. In the '80s, they gave way to plastic. Vintage lunch boxes now are highly collectible. They are displayed as collections in people's homes, and sometimes they get their own art gallery shows. 

If you're on the hunt for vintage lunch boxes or other collectibles to start back to school with a certain retro cache, check out the antique shops in . Some suggestions:

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Do you remember a favorite lunch box? What was it? Have a picture handy? Share it with West Des Moines Patch.