FollowTin Can Day is Jan 19th. Tin cans were first patented way back in 1810. They are used primarily for storing and preserving perishable food. The first canned goods products were produced for the Royal Navy in 1813. Cans come in various sizes and the larger ones have ribs in order to strengthen them.
Although they have helped to preserve food stuff for later use or ease of transportation, some people have become sick from eating foods stored in them because of the tin releasing some of its chemical components into the food. This discovery lead to some of them being coated in a special plastic, BPA. Fruits and vegetables such as pineapple and tomatoes could end up tasting tinny depending on how long they were stored without being consumed.
In the olden days, there was also a concern about how the tins cans were soldered together. Lead was often used to weld the lids to the cylinder shape. Seamen often became ill if they were at sea for some time. It was thought that it was because of the amount of canned food that was used to prepare meals. However, it was determined many years later that their illnesses could be attributed to the lead in the pipes used on ships to disperse water.
The first can opener was made in 1870. Improvements made in 1925. An electric model was patented in 1931. The pop can top was invented in 1959. In 1927, the first aerosol was manufactured.
Many of the tin cans that are made today are sent to the recycling depot to be cleaned, melted down, and manufactured into the same product once again.
For more info, visit Wikipedia
