| While the shape and configuration of the can has | | | | exploring the concept of canning and distributing |
| undergone several changes since its original | | | | carbonated drinks in cans and it wasn't long |
| inception during the time of Napoleon Bonaparte, | | | | before they were readily available on store |
| its basic function has remained unchanged. That is | | | | shelves. However; it wasn't until the mid 1960's |
| to preserve perishable foodstuffs in a compact | | | | that the aluminum can, as we know it today was |
| container that insures reliable uniform freshness | | | | introduced to the public. Due to its numerous |
| and flavor. | | | | positive manufacturing and user attributes, the |
| | | | | aluminum can quickly replaced steel cans as the |
| The Can is Patented | | | | container of choice for beverages. |
| | | | | |
| It was in the year 1810, when King George of | | | | Evolution of the Pop Top |
| England awarded a patent on the tin can, that | | | | |
| was a crucial turning point in the can making | | | | The original aluminum drink can had a pop top that |
| process. From this point on cans were to be | | | | was completely dis-attached from the can when |
| produced commercially, although the rudimentary | | | | it was opened. It was the drinking publics |
| technology of the time meant that a person could | | | | penchant for carelessly discarding this pop top, or |
| only produce approximately ten per day. | | | | stuffing it back in the can that sowed the seeds |
| | | | | for another technological change. This is because, |
| Public Demand for Canned Foods Grows | | | | all too often the pop tops were either carelessly |
| | | | | gulped down by enthusiastic drinkers or stepped |
| The very first commercial canning operation was | | | | on, leading to nasty gashes on the foot. |
| established in 1812 on the New York waterfront, | | | | |
| to can and market oysters. However; it wasn't | | | | Thousands Per Minute |
| until the discovery of the California gold fields in | | | | |
| the 1840's when public demand for canned | | | | So, a newer style of aluminum drink can soon |
| foods exploded. This unprecedented demand for | | | | made its debut in the later half of the 1960's that |
| canned foods spurned on inventors to develop | | | | implemented a pop-top that remained safely |
| faster and more efficient means of producing | | | | attached to the drink can. Todays technology |
| cans. | | | | allows for cans to be commercial produced at a |
| | | | | rate that renders them only a "blur" as that speed |
| More Developments | | | | past the eye on the assembly line and one can |
| | | | | only wonder what new technological innovations |
| Simple, yet effective early technological | | | | are in the cans future. |
| developments increased the production level of | | | | |
| commercially produced cans up to 60+ per day, | | | | Near Perfection in Form and Function |
| per worker. One event that was to permanently | | | | |
| change the design of the modern can was the | | | | One thing is for certain though and that is that |
| development of the "folded seem" in Europe, in | | | | the humble hermetically sealed can has serviced |
| 1900. However; it wasn't until the industrial | | | | mankind well and most likely will continue to do so |
| revolution of the 1920's that the first commercial | | | | for many years to come. Even if changes do |
| machinery was developed that could effectively | | | | come to the can, there can be no doubt that the |
| mass produce cans. | | | | simple perfection in its shape and function will |
| | | | | remain unchanged. For, while the technology that |
| The Aluminum Can is Born | | | | goes into the production of the can has changed |
| | | | | much over the centuries, the can itself has |
| During the 1940's, beverage manufacturers began | | | | remained true to its form and function. |