A teal ice chest cooler with metal handle and removable lid.

After World War II, many Americans celebrated newfound abundance and leisure time through casual outdoor dining. Postwar suburban families invested in grills and other accessories for their backyards and recreational outings. In 1953, Richard C. Laramy received a U.S. patent for his invention of a "portable ice chest for storing and refrigerating foods and the like.” Portable coolers soon became a staple item for camping, trips to the beach, and picnics. Early commercial ice chests were made of natural materials, such as tin, zinc, cork, and wood. Today, most portable coolers are made entirely from synthetic materials such as polypropylene and expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam as they are light and inexpensive insulating materials.