It was already eight or nine years into the Great Depression, and the grinding dreariness of that, the constant vigilance over money, coupled with all the troubling geopolitical events in Europe and Asia, must have been taking their toll on Americans.

What a pleasure then to happen upon a smart little object that didn't cost too much and gave a lift. A clever geometric handbag, a flattened hexagon made from aluminum—the stuff of modernity, of airplanes!—with its unexpected snakeskin pattern wrought in metal, its satisfying rounded handles, pleasant to grip. It was a small pleasure, a fun thing for people who needed fun things.

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Aluminum had been a precious metal in the 19th century, more costly than gold or platinum. By the 1930s, aluminum was still novel—the process for producing it at scale had existed fewer than 50 years—but it had become affordable enough to be made into everyday consumer goods. It also carried the aura of modernity, suggesting a future that was lighter, cleaner, more rational. It was a substance for hope, the ideal material for ordinary consumers who couldn't afford luxury in those hard times.

The Everlast brand was known for its aluminum serving pieces: trays, bowls, and covered dishes, mostly. But they also tried their hand at more unusual items, including fashion accessories. An aluminum purse was not an object for hard, everyday use. It was pleasingly impractical, almost absurd, made for special occasions—proof that delight and beauty still existed. Still mattered.

This post is part of The American 250, a series featuring 250 objects made by Americans, located in America, in honor of the country's 250th anniversary. 250 words on 250 works, from January 1 to December 31, 2026.

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