Box

Boxes may be made of a variety of materials, both durable (such as wood and metal) and non-durable (such as corrugated fiberboard and paperboard).

They can be secured shut with adhesives, tapes, string, or more decorative or elaborately functional mechanisms, such as catches, clasps or locks.

Depending on locale and usage, the terms carton and box are sometimes used interchangeably.

The invention of large steel intermodal shipping containers has helped advance the globalization of commerce.

[1][2] Boxes for storing various items in can often be very decorative, as they are intended for permanent use and sometimes are put on display in certain locations.

An upright rectangular wooden box with a hinged lid, clasp fastenings and a handle
A wooden box with a hinged lid
An empty cardboard box with the top closing flaps open
An empty corrugated fiberboard box
A small, elaborate box, featuring a hinged lid, two swing doors at the front and a small pull-out drawer; the interior is entirely red and features small items that seem to be part of a toilette set
An elaborate late 17th to early 18th century box ( Metropolitan Museum of Art , New York City )