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You probably have cans of soda at home, but have you ever thought about their design? I mean, there must be a reason behind that hole in the ring of cans and sure there is, we are going to explain to you what’s the real use of this part of cans. What’s more, it’s interesting to know about the advances on product engineering and
industrial design
that have evolved with popular culture, by adapting to our lifestyles and habits.
Nowadays, if we think of industrial design, the first thing that may come to our minds is futuristic supercars or something like that
. However, everyday products, like cans, are also so important because these are the things we are going to be using on a daily basis. So, let’s find out if you are properly using the hole in the ring of cans and why it exists.
First of all, What’s the origin of cans?
Before getting into the topic of this article, it’s important you know about the origin of cans. Why did someone decide to keep drinks in a can?
We have to go back to the 19th century, when soldiers needed food that lasted longer while they were on mission. That’s why metallic and hermetic packaging were invented, so that the food wasn’t wasted so soon. Therefore, Peter Durand invented iron cans covered in tin and, at the beginning, they were very heavy and difficult to open. However, with the passage of time, they became lighter and also used for drinks in the 20th century.
An innovative way to open cans (at the time)
It was a huge improvement how Peter Durand came up with these useful iron cans covered in tin, but they were so difficult to open. You couldn’t eat or drink them if you didn’t have a can opener, until, in 1962, Ermal C. Fraze thought of including a pull-tab that could be lifted up with our fingers to open the cans, with no need of any tool.
However, this was a problem for the cleanliness of the streets because once you opened the can, the pull-tab was separated from it so people threw them everywhere.
The pull-tab improved
Later, in 1975, Daniel F. Cudzik thought of an idea that could improve the previous design. He came up with a stay-on tab with a hole in the middle, which is the one we currently use. This was an environmental improvement and also a safety and easier way to use cans. The hole is now thought to have a very specific use, but is it true?
What’s the hole in the ring used for?
It is believed the hole was made for introducing straws by turning the ring until the hole reaches the hole of the can. This is very useful for preventing the straw from moving so much. However, this was not the original intention for the hole in the ring which is a foothold that helps to spread the strength from putting pressure on the ring. This way, breaking the hole of the can is much easier.
This invention shows that every object, no matter how big or small they are, is very well thought out and there are people taking our needs into account. Who would have thought this hole in the ring could have so much history, technology, design and work behind?
Don’t throw the ring!
I know there are many people who have a fixation with removing the ring of cans, but this is not okay. David F. Cudzik didn’t improve the pull-tab, so that people are throwing it away now.
These parts of cans can contribute to pollution if we throw them on the streets. We shouldn’t remove them, but if we do so, then they must be thrown in the plastic container. Let’s not make the environment worse.
