Abstract
The tin can has played a significant role in American history and can play a significant role in archaeology. Beginning with the food can, the author traces developments in canning and can-manufacturing, and briefly discusses can shape and labelling. The narrative continues with the beer can, the center of can-manufacturing innovation after 1935. There are obstacles facing archaeologists interested in tin cans. One is corrosion; another is the lack of archaeological and documentary research on this artifact.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anonymous 1942 Tin Cans and Packages. Modem Packaging Encyclopedia: 254–60.
1944 Bug Bomb: Pressure Package for Self-Dispensing Product. Modern Packaging 18(2):98–102.
1954 Aerosols. Modern Packaging Encyclopedia: 320–26.
1956 Tinless Food Can. Modern Packaging 29(5):200–01.
1958 First Aluminum Canned Beer. Modern Packaging 32(1): 106–10.
1959 Coke in Cans. Modern Packaging 33(2):226.
1968a Canned Beef Before 1777. Tin and Its Uses 80: 1–2.
1968b Look at the Action in Metals. Modern Packaging 41(2): 100–105.
1970 Pressurized Packaging. Tin and Its Uses 84:11–12.
1976 Beverages—From the Tinplate Can to the Pewter Tankard. Tin and Its Uses 107:12–14.
Ascher, Robert 1974 Tin Can Archaeology. Historical Archaeology 8:7–16.
Barry, B. T. and C. J. Evans 1974 D & I Cans—A Can-Making Revolution. Tin and Its Uses 100:12–15.
Beer Can Collectors of America 1976 The Beer Can: A Complete Guide to Beer Can Collecting, edited by Larry Wright, Cornerstone Library, New York.
Bingham, Taylor H. and Paul F. Mulligan 1972 The Beverage Container Problem: Analysis and Recommendations. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.
Bitting, A. W. and K. G. 1916 Canning and How to Use Canned Foods. National Canners Association, Washington D.C.
Blanc, J. P. 1972 100 Years of Decorated Tinplate Containers. Tin and Its Uses 92:12–15.
Can Manufacturers Institute 1978 The Can: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. Washington, D.C.
Clark, Hyla M. 1977 The Tin Can Book: The Can as Collectible Art, Advertising Art and High Art. New American Library, New York.
Collins, James H. 1924 The Story of Canned Foods. E. P. Dutton & Company, New York.
Davis, Alec 1967 Package and Print: The Development of Container and Label Design. Faber & Faber, London.
Fontana, Bernard L., J. Cameron Greenleaf, Charles Ferguson, Robert Wright and Doris Frederick 1962 Johnny Ward’s Ranch: A Study in Historic Archaeology. The Kiva 28 (1–2).
Hoare, W. E. and E. S. Hedges 1945 Tinplate. Edward Arnold & Company, London.
Hedges, Ernest S. 1964 Tin in Social and Economic History. Edward Arnold Ltd., London.
Hunt, Charles B. 1959 Dating of Mining Camps with Tin Cans and Bottles. Geo Times 3(1):8–10, 34.
International Tin Research and Development Council 1936 Tin Plate and Tin Cans in the United States. Bulletin of the International Tin Research and Development Council: 4.
Kloap, John M. 1971 Progress of the Metal Can. Modern Packaging Encyclopedia: 232–35.
Mantell, C. L. 1949 Tin: Its Mining, Production, Technology and Applications, second edition. Reinhold Publishing Company, New York.
May, Earl Chapin 1938 The Canning Clan: A Pageant of Pioneering Americans. The MacMillan Co., New York.
Mullin. James A. 1960 Influences on the Use of Labels for Canned Foods. Unpublished M.B.A. thesis. University of Pennsylvania.
National Canners Association 1963 The Canning Industry: Its History, Importance, Organization, Methods and the Public Service Value of its Products, fifth edition. Washington, D.C.
Singer. Charles. E. J. Holmyard, A. R. Hall, Trevor L Williams, editors 1958 A History of Technology (Vol. 5). The Clarendon Press, Oxford.
Webb. Walter Prescott 1931 The Great Plains. Ginn, Boston.
Wister, Owen 1902 The Virginian. The MacMillan Co., New York.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Busch, J. An introduction to the tin can. Hist Arch 15, 95–104 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03374016
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03374016