History of the Modern Can
The History of the Modern Can: Sustenance and Reliability
Word Count: 3,415 The modern can is something that most people take for granted each time they make a trip to their local supermarket. The can is an invention that evolved from war, as many great inventions do. Over time new technological innovations have given rise to better technologies to make cans and preserve food for longer periods of time. The early can’s conception was advanced yet simple, among the top inventions of the world. Millions today continue using cans as a means of preserving food and spreading charity for those less fortunate. In the year 1795; Napoleon Bonaparte is only a few years away from establishing himself Emperor of France. The French were in command of a massive army and navy. Yet, even an army and navy have to eat at some point. Supply lines are established during war times and even during peace times to feed combatants. Napoleon realized that he would need to have a properly fed army and navy is he were to be successful. The much needed food would almost always arrive spoiled. The military could either eat rotten food or go hungry. After all, eating spoiled food would cause troops to become sick and sailors had to deal with the threat of scurvy. Something had to be done. In response to rising issues, Napoleon issued a challenge to anyone who could devise a means of preserving food. The winner would receive 12,000 francs or just over 13,000 United States Dollars. Fourteen years later, in 1809, a Frenchman by the name of Nicolas Appert won the prize. Appert was a French confectioner, chef, and distiller. This background made it possible for him to have access to many materials necessary for canning. After 14 years of experimentation, Appert had devised a way to preserve food and still retain flavor. The method involved using glass bottles or jars and filling them with any types of soups, stews, jams, etc, then corked tightly and boiled for several hours. The jars had to
Word Count: 3,415 The modern can is something that most people take for granted each time they make a trip to their local supermarket. The can is an invention that evolved from war, as many great inventions do. Over time new technological innovations have given rise to better technologies to make cans and preserve food for longer periods of time. The early can’s conception was advanced yet simple, among the top inventions of the world. Millions today continue using cans as a means of preserving food and spreading charity for those less fortunate. In the year 1795; Napoleon Bonaparte is only a few years away from establishing himself Emperor of France. The French were in command of a massive army and navy. Yet, even an army and navy have to eat at some point. Supply lines are established during war times and even during peace times to feed combatants. Napoleon realized that he would need to have a properly fed army and navy is he were to be successful. The much needed food would almost always arrive spoiled. The military could either eat rotten food or go hungry. After all, eating spoiled food would cause troops to become sick and sailors had to deal with the threat of scurvy. Something had to be done. In response to rising issues, Napoleon issued a challenge to anyone who could devise a means of preserving food. The winner would receive 12,000 francs or just over 13,000 United States Dollars. Fourteen years later, in 1809, a Frenchman by the name of Nicolas Appert won the prize. Appert was a French confectioner, chef, and distiller. This background made it possible for him to have access to many materials necessary for canning. After 14 years of experimentation, Appert had devised a way to preserve food and still retain flavor. The method involved using glass bottles or jars and filling them with any types of soups, stews, jams, etc, then corked tightly and boiled for several hours. The jars had to
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