The can opener is an invention with 150 years of experience

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The can opener is an invention with 150 years of experience
The can opener is an invention with 150 years of experience

Video: The can opener is an invention with 150 years of experience

Video: The can opener is an invention with 150 years of experience
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It is a surprising fact that such a necessary tool in wartime as a can opener was created almost 50 years after the release of these cans.

can-opener
can-opener

The reason for the can opener

In 1795, before Napoleon's campaign in Europe with the aim of conquering it, the French government faced the task of finding a rational way to preserve food for a long time. For a worthy proposal, a reward of 12,000 francs was promised. The award went to chef Francois Apper, who proved that a finished product, such as fried meat, in an airtight container and boiled in water, can be stored closed for at least a year. As containers, they were offered glass jars. And in 1809, they began to produce the first products in the form of preservation.

Because of their fragility, glass jars were replaced with tin containers a year later. A patent for the use of tin was received by the Englishman Peter Durand. Although iron cans were more reliable, due to the thickness of the tin plate of 5 mm, they weighed more than the product contained in them. In addition, it took a lot of effort to open canned food. Forthe autopsy needed were a hammer and chisel.

How to use a can opener
How to use a can opener

Invention of the can opener

48 years of getting to the contents of canned food by all means at hand, until Ezr Warner came up with the idea of creating a product with which one could easily open a tin can lid. The patented can opener had two blades, one needed to pierce the can, and the other to rest the knife against its side. The invention, like canned food, gained popularity only during the Civil War, when soldiers were given canned food, and Warner's knife was attached to it.

Further on, there was a wide interest in making a product simpler and easier to use. J. Osterhud in 1866 received a patent for a tin can, on the lid of which there was a key. With each turn, the lid twisted, revealing more of its contents.

The wheeled can opener was invented in 1878 by William Lyman. The knife resembled a drawing compass, having a knife in the form of a wheel on one part. The principle of opening a can is also similar to the operation of a compass. One pointed leg was stuck into the center of the round lid, and another leg with a wheel moved along its circumference, which opened the jar.

can opener with wheel
can opener with wheel

In 1921, Lyman's can opener was slightly improved. On the outside of it, where the cutting wheel was located, a guide gear was installed. The rim of the canned food was located between the wheels, which did not allow the knifeslip off.

Modern can openers

In 1942, the easiest-to-use P-38 can opener was invented by the Chicago Life Support Laboratory. In order to open a tin can, it was necessary to press and lift the key 38 times, while developing tremendous pressure on the lid. The key was stamped literally in seconds and consisted of two folding parts. A knife was attached to the army ration. After use, the can opener should be rinsed in boiling water to get rid of the remnants of the contents of the can.

Later, electric knives were invented that opened canned food in seconds. Moreover, the jar is held between the knife and the gear and does not fall.

can opener
can opener

Opening technique

To date, the most affordable can opener has a handle made of metal or wood and an iron plate with two horns of different sizes. With its help, you can open not only canned food, but also beer bottles, pates, stew and grandmother's marinades. The process is not difficult, and yet there are those who wonder how to use a can opener. First of all, you need to install a long horn at the edge of the can and hit the handle with your hand, applying force, punching through the tin. The horn should plunge into the jar, after that you need to move the knife around the circumference, swinging it up and down, but do not pull it out.

To open a bottle of beer, you should place the edge of the cap between the horns, and place a long one on top, and pull the knife up, whilewhile lightly pressing the bottle opener on the bottle cap.

Can-opener
Can-opener

Caring for can openers

A can opener can cause food poisoning. If it is not washed, numerous food residues from all kinds of products accumulate on the blade. You can imagine how poisonous an unwashed tool is. Scrapings taken from can openers during the study showed the presence of various pathogens and infections. To avoid infection, it is necessary to rinse the blade with boiling water each time after opening the jar. Cleaning a can opener is easy. You can wash it by hand or put it in the dishwasher. Old dirt is well brushed off with a toothbrush.

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