While the first glass bottles are believed to have been invented in ancient Egypt more than 3,000 years ago, Boston Round bottles came much later when glass blowing technology and mass production capabilities emerged in the late 1800s.

Unfortunately, history buffs, there is no precise record of the first Boston Round with the traditional bottle shape, and we don’t know why it had the Boston name.

Here’s what we do know about the origins of Boston Round Bottles.

• The “Round” part of the name is obviously linked to the round base and cylindrical shape. The rounded shoulder made Boston Rounds ideal for creams and other solutions so they wouldn’t get stuck, while the narrow neck made it easier to pour liquids while preventing evaporation.
• The earliest Boston Rounds were likely sealed with corks and were popular packaging for pharmaceuticals.
• Boston Rounds were also called Winchester or Winchester Quart bottles in the UK. They were named not for the city, but for the Winchester Standards of measurement of dry volume.
• Early Boston Rounds were amber in color, most likely to filter out UV light.

Today’s Boston Round Bottles

Many Boston Rounds are still dark in color for the same reason as their predecessors. You may even have a few Boston Rounds in your medicine cabinet.

However, today’s plastic versions can be produced in clear, transparent form so you can see the contents, or in bright colors for design and branding purposes. Most plastic Boston Rounds have threaded necks that can accommodate a variety of closures, including caps, lotion pumps, and spray pumps.

CMG Plastics offers three Boston Round bottles: 8 oz (24-410 BR), 16 oz (28-410 BR), and 16 oz (24-410 BR). We can also create Boston Rounds and other bottles in custom sizes to suit your requirements. All can be made with post-consumer recycled (PCR) material in multiple colors.

If you’d like to discuss your specific applications for Boston Round bottles, contact us today to schedule a consultation and request a quote!