Good morning and happy Halloween!!!
In 2009, the New York Times published an article narrating David Segal's literary creation The Haggler's experience as he struggles to open a clamshell package:
...Like most clamshells, it seemed to be designed by people unaware that anyone would want to open it. Actually, the design suggested an effort to turn the clamshell into a kind of portable vault that only a sharp object, like a jackknife, could breach.
“You’re going to need to stab me,” every clamshell says. The Haggler, however, was unarmed, so this particular clamshell sat in the passenger seat and went beyond the standard invitation to violence and began issuing taunts.
The Haggler decides to take the "if-you-can't-beat-em" approach, finding a clamshell manufacturer willing to entertain his idea for a clamshell coffin: "Tamper-proof your eternal rest," he pitches.
The clamshell manufacturer explains that clamshells are popular because retailers want packages that are easy to transport while displaying products in a highly visible way, and are hard to steal. The Haggler reasons: "The point is to create a package that cannot be opened and reclosed surreptitiously. That way, no one can remove anything and put the package back on the racks without it being obvious. Which is to say, it is no coincidence that a clamshell needs to be stabbed repeatedly. An open clamshell is supposed to be a miniature crime scene, with shredded plastic playing the role of blood and guts."
Help Dordan put wrap rage to rest; vote on which clamshell is the easiest to open in Dordan's PACK EXPO exhibit, booth #8505.
Register to vote here.
Photo Credit: NYT's "Man Vs. Clamshell'