Pizza is undoubtedly one of the most popular foods in the world. You can walk up to almost any stranger in the street and ask them what their favorite food is, and there’s a good chance that their first thought will be this…
I’m assuming that we’re all familiar with this great cuisine, and if you’re not… where have you been? You know all about the different flavors, the variety of toppings available, the different kinds of bases and crusts etc., but have you ever wondered why this round delicacy comes in a square box?
This puzzling question has come up many times in conversations with friends, so I decided that it was time to solve this puzzle once and for all.
Ease and Simplicity
Let’s start at the manufacturing stage. Square boxes are simply easier and cheaper to make. Why? Because a square box can be formed from a single sheet of cardboard. Also, it’s useful for pizza boxes to start as nothing more than flat sheets of cardboard so that they can be stored easily. Remember, thousands of people order pizzas in every minute! Then, as and when required, these sheets can be folded into boxes in the shop itself. Easy!
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The square nature of the boxes also makes them easier to store, since they are more stable than round boxes.
The argument of square boxes being easier to make and store is rather obvious, but let’s take a look at exactly what is required to make a round box.
Firstly, it would be very difficult and demand a lot of work to not only manufacture, but also construct the round box on site. Furthermore, it would be expensive to ship/transport these fully constructed round boxes. In addition, pizzeria owners would have to store these fully constructed round boxes, which would take up far too much space.
Finally, it turns out that a round box needs to be assembled from at least four separate sections, and may even need to pressed together by special machinery. That sounds like a lot of work and resources just to deliver a pie and then have the hungry consumer toss the box in the recycling bin!
Not to mention, a round box also needs to be constructed in two separate parts – the container and the lid.
Technical Aspects
Think about the technical aspects of a round box. Don’t you think that it’s one or two hinges would be small and easy to break or be damaged? A square box, in comparison, has a relatively large and stable hinge that is very difficult to damage.
Now, onto the space within a square box. Obviously, since the square box is accommodating a round pizza, there will be space left in the four corners of the box. This space makes it much easier for a person to lift up a piece of pizza.
The space in the corners can also be used to keep extra items, like oregano and the all-important chili flakes.
We also have to consider the aesthetic appearance of a square box. The square shape is something that has traditionally been used for many purposes and it makes sense that they are preferred over other shapes, such as octagons and hexagons (although there are some pizzas that are sold in these box shapes).
Enjoy Your Round Pizza!
Finally, the question that has been haunting pizza lovers for centuries has been solved, and next time you wonder why your delicious round pizza is being delivered in a square box, simply slide your fingers into that convenient space in the corner of the box and start enjoying your slice of pepperoni pizza perfection!
References
Brendan has a Bachelors of Science degree in Biotechnology from Mumbai University (India). He likes superheroes, and swears loyalty to members of the Justice League. He likes to take part in discussions regarding the human body, and when he is not doing that, he is generally reading superhero trivia.
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