While the process for canning in cans was patented in 1810 and was in pretty widespread use by 1812, the first can opener patent in the US was not issued until 1858. Prior to that, it was pretty common practice to go at the things with a hammer & chisel to get them open.
I will remind myself of this next time I complain about a can not having the nifty little pull-tab to open.
2 comments:
Haven't we come a long ways!!! I agree, I would not be happy to use the old methods, lol. Janet
According to wikipedia: 'The first cans were robust containers, which weighed more than the food they contained and required ingenuity to open, using whatever tools available. The instruction on those cans read "Cut round the top near the outer edge with a chisel and hammer." '
I can see this getting old.
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