In the late 17th century, alcohol was a vital part of colonial life. As the Temperance Movement gained momentum, proprietors pushed their bitter's products as a drink stimulant or a proprietary medicine.

Flasks were produced in general as a product container. It was the practice that retailers purchased the glass containers, sold them empty to customers and then sold them the contents. Those bottles were then used over and over since the cost of the bottle was more than anything that they put into them. Many flasks can be traced to a glasshouse, but not to any particular retailer. Flasks are more likely linked to historical figures or events.