Cigarette Case Keeps Account of Smokes Given to Friends, 1940

In 1940, a novel cigarette case keeps tabs on the cigarettes your friends “borrow.” When you want a smoke yourself, press one button to open the case. But when an acquaintance “bums” a cigarette, press a second button. This not only opens the case but operates a counter built into the case.

When somebody cadges a smoke, press a special button to open the case. A counter registers the gift, keeping track of those given away.