It took 15 years to invent the can. It took 100 more to invent a standard way to open it. In the 19th century, decades after the invention of canning, there were virtually no can openers. Canned food, such as sardines, came with its own "key" to peel back the tin lid. Birth of the can One of the oddest things about the can opener is that the can predates it by almost 150 years. Though common today, cans were once military-grade technology. In 1795, Napoleon, to whom the phrase "an army marches on its stomach" is attributed, offered 12,000 francs to anyone who could find a way to preserve food. Without any knowledge of bacteria or their role in food spoilage, scientists didn't even know where to begin. It took 15 years before a chef named Nicholas Appert claimed the prize after successfully jarring food. Soon after that, his countryman Philippe de Girard came up with a variant on Appert's method—metal tins—and sold the idea to the British. Spoiled food, and the sickness it caused, was a widespread problem. The public would have benefited from canned food, but for decades cans were almost exclusively for the army and the navy. The canning process, with its hours of boiling and steaming, its scrupulous cleanliness, its heated metal, and its need for a great deal of disposable material, made canned food far too expensive for anyone but the military. No can openers were needed or even possible. The metal of early cans was too thick to make openers practical. Soldiers and sailors had plenty of sharp objects on hand and made ample use of them when they wanted to eat. During the 19th century, the process of canning was refined and mechanised, and the metal wall of the average can slimmed down enough that a civilian could get it open—if that civilian had the right tool. No one had that tool yet, so early cans had to open themselves. In other words, they came with built-in openers. The result was a confusing but pleasing free-for-all, in terms of product engineering. Each type of food came with its own kind of can, and each kind of can came with its own kind of opener. Tinned fish and meat were often sold in rectangular cans. These cans were fitted with a "key" that would roll down the top of the can. Coffee, beans, and other types of meat were packaged in cylinders with metal strips that could be peeled back with their own kinds of built-in keys. Cans of milk, which didn't need to be completely opened, came with puncture devices. As tinned food became more common, its containers became more regular. A nice cylindrical can became the norm, and, as these cans filled kitchens, more engineers put their minds to finding a convenient way to open all of them. The first standalone can opener worked on a simple principle: point, stab, and pull. From the mid-19th century to the end of World War I, the typical can opener looked roughly like a wrench, if the lower 'jaw' of the wrench were replaced with a blade. People used the blade to puncture the top of the can near its edge, push the upper jaw against the side of the can, and drag the blade through the metal along the rim. Because meat was the first and most popular canned substance, these can openers were often shaped to look like cows and given the nickname 'bully beef can openers'. The bully beef can opener, popular in the mid-19th century, resulted in many lost fingers. Bully beef can openers were so common, effective, and sturdy that they are still frequently available on collectors' sites. Some are advertised as “still working,” and every last one of them is, without a doubt, soaked in the blood of our ancestors. Dragging a sharp blade along the edge of a can is certain to cause injury sooner or later. So once people got a reliable can shape and a reliable way to get the can open, the search was on for a reliable way to get a can open without the possibility of losing a finger. The answer came in 1925, from the Star Can Opener Company of San Francisco. This is probably the first can opener that resembles the one people have in their kitchens today. Instead of using a blade to pry open a metal can, buyers could clamp the edge of the can between two wheels and twist the handle of one of the wheels to move the blade around the lip. The Star can openers weren't perfect. Compared to the bully beef model, they were flimsy and breakable, but they probably prevented a few injuries. Six short years after the Star model came to market, the first electric can opener was invented. It was patented in 1931 by the Bunker Clancey Company of Kansas City, who had already been sued by the Star Can Opener Company for trying sell a double-wheeled can opener like the Star model (the case was dismissed). The electric can opener must have seemed like the wave of the future and a sure-fire seller, but it proved to be too far ahead of its time. In 1931 not that many households had electricity, and those that did weren't interested in buying can openers. The Bunker Clancey Company was subsequently bought by the Rival Company, which still makes small appliances like can openers today. It took another 25 years for electrically powered can openers to become practical. In the 1950s, Walter Hess Bodle and his daughter, Elizabeth Bodle, developed an electric can opener in the family garage. Walter came up with the opener's blades and motor, and Elizabeth sculpted the outside. Their can opener was a free-standing unit that could sit on the kitchen counter. The Udico brand of the Union Die Casting Company put it on the market in time for Christmas in 1956 and had great success with it. Over the next few years it came out in different styles and colours, and, like the bully beef can opener, has become a collector's item. Also like the bully beef model, Udico can openers often still work. They don't make 'em like they used to. Although there have been some design changes and refinements over the last sixty years, there have yet to be any more leaps forward in can opener technology. If you're resentfully opening a can, you are almost certainly doing it using the Star design, manually forcing the can between two wheels, or the Bodle design, clamping the can into a free-standing electrical opener. Whether or not you enjoy your holiday meals, at least you can be happy that you are not getting poisoned by your own food or cutting open your hand with the blade you use to get at it. That's something, right?The can opener is still a very important and essential item in most kitchens.Can opener, right handed, metal, upper blade section serrated, inscription 'Peerless Pat.Feb 11-90'.Peerless Pat.Feb 11-90flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, cannning, can opener, kitchen equipment

Multi purpose bottle or can opener. Size is suitable for carrying in pocket. [Persinware Openers were advertised in the Canberra Times in June and October 1978]Metal bottle/can opener with black plastic handle.Stamped into metal "Persinware"persinware, bottle opener, can opener

Brown leather case with leather handle and side leather loops. It has two leather straps attached to a top cover which can be fastened in the closed position by buckles attached to the front. There are three leather loops inside the container for storing the contents. This case carried oil cans for the Vickers .303 inch calibre machine gun.On top cover CANS.303MG M.H.& Co 1945 L D/|\D On the front HARRY DOWN FRANKSTON VICTORIA AUSTRALIA case, leather, harry down, brass fittings, 1945

Black neoprone stubby holder with gold graphics of Vietnam National Memorial Canberra, holding beer can of the Welcome Home Parade - sydney 3rd October 1987On can - Australian Vietnam Forces Welcome Home Parade '87 Sydney October 3rd 1987. Together then, together again.beer can, australian vietnam forces, welcome home parade

This photograph was taken because the can donated to the society is deteriorating rapidly, the paint peeling off the metal surface.Photographs of item 2146.01, hand painted milk can from Woodruff's dairylbusiness and traders - dairies, woodruff's royal dairy, stan woodruff, stan

The Mayoral Ball is long held tradition, usually held in the first few months of a new mayors election with proceeds going to a local charity. The 1972 Mayoral Charity Dinner Ball was held at the Bendigo City Town Hall with funds donated to St Luke's Toddlers' Home in White Hills. Catering was provided by the Copper Pot Restaurant, 2 Howard Place, Bendigo and the Frank Charles Orchestra provided the music. 4 minute 24 second black and white 16 mm film in original film can, labelled. 0340a; Label (no longer affixed to can) 0340b Film Can 0340c; Film Reel 0340d; 16mm filmLabel; A / BCV - TV / PRODUCTION / Subject The Mayoral Ball - 1972 / Duration 4 min 24 sec / Bendigo & Central Victoria Telecasters Ltd / Lily Street, Bendigo, 3550 / Phone (ill)3-0584Film Can Lid; EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY Film Reel; tuscan / HUNDRED FEET / Made in Australia by / Australian Reel Co. / Pty Ltd city of bendigo mayor, city of bendigo town hall, city of bendigo events, mayoral ball, mayor elliott, mayoress elliott, elliott collection

"Can Can" is a musical in two acts, music by Cole Porter and book by Abe Burrows.Bendigo Operatic Socety Music Programme for "Can Can" - a musical in 2 acts, opening for 6 nights, 16th, 17th 18th, 23rd, 24th and 25th November 1972 - A5 booklet with 16 pages - booklet consisting of lists of individuals participating and organizing the concert, advertisements, acknowledgments, synopsis of story and scenes. Included also are cast, musical numbers and Orchestra.programme, concert, bendigo operatic society, capital theatre

From the 1860's - 1930's various companies called their enamelware products by their own unique names, e.g. graniteware and agateware. The enamel coating put an end to metallic tasting food and prevented rust from contaminating food. It did scratch and chip easily. This lidded can could have been used for storing dripping or other liquids for cooking.A small rusted and chipped lidded can or billy with a wire handle looped at the sides. It has a rolled blue trim around the rim of the can. The rolled lid has a small flattened handle in the middle and the lid fits well to the can.enamel, metal, domestic object, cans

From the 1860's - 1930's various companies called their enamelware products by their own unique names, e.g. graniteware and agateware. The enamel coating put an end to metallic tasting food and prevented rust from contaminating food. It did scratch and chip easily. This lidded can could have been used for storing dripping or other liquids for cooking.A rusted and chipped grey speckled lidded can or billy with a wire handle looped at the sides. It has a rolled black trim around the rim of the can. The rolled lid has a small handle in the middle and the lid fits well to the can.enamel, metal, domestic object, cans

Tin can containing shoe polish for polishing shoes and or boots Ca 1900Imported and sold by Holden and FrostSquat rectangular tin can cream and brown paint on face saying Properts shoe creamPropert's Shoe creamtin, shoe polish, propert's

Found in the above ground rubbish pile at Days Mill and Farm. The can probably contained sardines or herrings or other type of preserved fish. Probably consumed on site.Rusted can, oblong in shape with rolled back lid and key in place.william day, ann day, joseph day, robert day

This is a photo of the Mt. Victory Road under construction. The workers camp can be seen in front of the road. For further information see 'Victoria's Wonderland', pp 102, 112 & 136. Note: The second copy is a transparency held at Slide Box No. 162.The photo shows a slope covered in thick bush. A road can just be seen in the middle foreground and a campsite with many tents can be seen through the bush in front of the road.access routes, mt victory rd

This is a black and white group portrait of ten Australian soldiers. They are in tent lines. They are in uniform, casually dressed with only one soldier wearing a hat, that is the neat and tidy young officer in centre rear, A Lewis MMG is on its bipod on the ground in front of this group. In the tent lines, in the background, another officer can be seen talking to someone in a tent. The soldier on the right is holding a set of bagpipes in the " ready" position. The unit of the soldiers has a vertical rectangular colour patch.Faintly on the rear side can be seen the name " Gath".ww1, lewis gun

This small can held household lubricant . A list of uses is on back of label.Small metal can with blue and yellow label. Has fold down plastic nozzle for pouring oil.On front label "Golden Fleece Home Lubricant"golden fleece, oil cans, household lubricant

Picture shows the wide variety of the ordinance that can be used by the Aardvark--the General Dynamics F-111Great view of the aircraft and its ordinance - Australian Aardvark--the General Dynamics F-111Picture of Australian Aardvark--the General Dynamics F-111 and ammunition available to be fitted to the aircraft. Bombs , cannon shells, rockets etc. mounted on a MDF backboard.F-111 Australian Aircraft on the ground with a large variety of weapons that can be fitted too the aircarft.f-111 and ordinance, aardvark--the general dynamics f-111

Small copper oil can used in the shearing industry to oil combs and cutters.This item is made of copper as opposed to regular ones which were manufactured from tin plate.Copper cone shaped oil can. Soldered metal base. Brass screw top with pourer attachedNoneshearing, oil can, combs and cutters

Chinese market-gardener’s watering-cans on a wooden yoke. This item was authenticated by the Bendigo Historical Society, and is said to be quite rare. It consists of two large galvanized watering-cans each with a pouring spout, suspended by chains from a well-used wooden yoke. The cans would each have been filled with water, then carried a distance into the market garden and used to water crops. The cans and yoke alone are very heavy, one can only imagine how heavy they were when filled with water.As profits from the gold-fields petered out the Chinese immigrants, (nearly all single men), were forced to seek other occupations. Many moved into furniture building in the East Melbourne area, whilst others went into market gardening . A significant number of Chinese men, realising the potential of the sandy, fertile soil, with a good supply of water, in the Shire of Moorabbin, leased tracts of land in that area to establish a market garden and grow produce for the increasing population of MelbourneAfter the Dendy Special Survey in1841in Brighton, Victoria, the first sale of Crown Land, taking in the whole Shire of Moorabbin, occurred in 1852. These allotments of land were eagerly bought up - some by speculators - although many were either worked by the owner, or leased out as market gardens and "fruit gardens", (orchards). Chinese market-gardener’s watering-cans suspended by chains on a wooden yoke. This item was authenticated by the Bendigo Historical Society, and is said to be quite rare. It consists of two large galvanized watering-cans each with a pouring spout, suspended by chains from a well-used wooden yokebrighton, gardeners, bentleigh, orchards, vegetables, dendy henry, market gardens, chinese settlers, pioneers moorabbin, water wells, creeks

This image appears to have been created to depict this good size Agave Americana plant, also known as the 'Century Plant'. Agaves are an introduced species to Australia. Their local propagation in Victoria is mentioned in Victorian newspapers as early as the 1850s. By the 1870s they appear to have become fairly common but still relatively novel. The side by side view of the Holy Trinity Anglican and Saint Andrews Presbyterian Churches forms an interesting frame for this botanical study. On the far right of the image in the background can be seen the Presbyterian Church Manse built in 1858 and demolished in the 20th century.Small sepia 'carte de viste' style unframed photograph on card with gold border framing photograph. Housed in the Jeremeas Family Album which contains photographs of Bacchus Marsh and District in 1883 by the photographers Stevenson and McNicoll. In the foreground of this image is an Agave Americana plant growing alongside a post and rail fence. In the background can be seen the Anglican Holy Trinity Church on the left and Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church on the right.Printed On the front: Stevenson & McNicoll. Photo. 108 Elizabeth St. Melbourne. COPIES CAN BE OBTAINED AT ANY TIME. On the back: LIGHT & TRUTH inscribed on a banner surmounted by a representation of the rising sun. Copies of this Portrait can be had at any time by sending the Name and Post Office Money Order or Stamps for the amount of order to STEVENSON & McNICOLL LATE BENSON & STEVENSON, Photographers. 108 Elizabeth Street, MELBOURNE. stevenson and mcnicoll 1883 photographs of bacchus marsh and district, churches bacchus marsh, holy trinity anglican church bacchus marsh, holy trinity church of england bacchus marsh, saint andrews presbyterian church bacchus marsh, plants, agaves, exotic plants, agave americana

This is a can used for storing milk at a dairy farm for transport to the local butter, milk or cheese factory. It comes from a farm (number 16) in Dennington, a settlement and now a suburb west of Warrnambool. It may have been supplying milk to the Nestles factory at Dennington by a truck or taken to a Nestles depot nearby. The Nestles factory was established in Dennington in 1907 and closed in 2005. This can is an interesting memento of dairying practices in the early to mid 20th century.This is a metal can with a circular base tapering to an open top. It has two handles on the side and a circular lid with a handle. It has a stencil on the side. The entire can is rusted.Den 16milk can, dairying in warrnambool district, nestles factory dennington

Milk and cream were stored in steel cans for transportation to stores or local dairy companies.The dairy industry is and has been one of the major industries of the Kiewa Valley. This cream can was used on a dairy farm in the Kiewa Valley.Large steel dairy can used for cream or milk. The irregular shaped ring handles are welded on each side in an upright position. The lid is stuck on the can. The flat outer edge of the lid has an inscription. The centre of the lid is indented with a bar shaped handle welded across it to enable lifting.Embossed at the top of the straight sides is "Dairymaster" between the handles on each side. Lid: "B.L.Paynter" along the outer edge.dairy; cream can; kiewa valley

Some of Camberwell's 'villages' can be traced back to the 1850s. This small booklet explains how some of them developed.Some of Camberwell's 'villages' can be traced back to the 1850s. This small booklet explains how some of them developed.camberwell region, railways, 1882, balwyn, (mr) andrew murray, belmore, (mr) mark collier, boroondara, deepdene, chatham, canterbury, mont albert, ingelfinger family, staig family, surrey hills, (mr) john knipe

Australian Defence Force ribbons representing medals that can be awarded.Collection of ribbons to be displayed in lieu of wearing full medals etc by soldiers of Australian Military Forces when entitled to be so warn.Chart - Honours Decorations and Medals of the Australian Defence Force. Display of ribbons representing medals that can be awarded to Australian Military Forces personnel.Sheet of Masonite with a printing of Honours Decorations and Medals of the Australian Defence Force - depicting ribbons for medals awarded to Australian Military Forces.australian defence force, honours,decorations and medals

handmade from lead seals of milk cans and telephone cables on wooden base at camp 3 Tatura and found buried just beyond perimeter wiresculpted kangaroo made from lead seals of milk cans and telephone cables on carved wooden basehandcrafts, sculpture, woodcarving, domestic, items, ornaments, decorative

David Blyth, worker at the RVIB Factory, stacking cans The picture dates to about 1958 when we were packing emergency supplies for the Army. The pack were rations which were dropped by aircraft to troops in the field. 1 B/W image of man removing cans from rows and placing into cartonroyal victorian institute for the blind, david blyth

This photograph was taken in February 1984 on the occasion of Cossen's visit to Echuca. P.S Pevensey with the name Philadelphia written across the wheelhouse can be seen steaming upstream under the bridge. This is significant because the P.S Pevensey played the role of the P. S Philadelphia in the movie "All The Rivers Run" which was filmed in Echuca in late 1982 and a sequel was filmed in Echuca early in 1989. Councillor Bob Snow can also be seen on the side deck. This is significant as the Cossen's visit to Echuca may have warranted this sort of attention The photograph also shows the state of the Echuca Moama bridge in the early 1980's.This photograph is significant because it shows the P.S. Pevensey showing the name P.S Philadelphia. The P.S Pevensey was used as the P.S Philadelphia in the TV Series "All The Rivers Run" based on the novel written by Nancy Cato. The TV series was filmed in Echuca in 1982. The TV series was a huge success and still draws tourists to the Port of Echuca. The fact that the P.S Pevensey was showing the Philadelphia name in 1984 is a bit of a mystery, but it has been known that she was dressed up again as the P.S Philadelphia sometimes for special occasions. The Cossen's visit to Echuca might have been such an occasion. It is also a good picture of the pylons under the Echuca Moama bridge and the actual bridge itself. The P.S Pevensey travelling upstream under the Echuca Moama bridge. There is a group of people on the lower side deck. People can also be seen in the wheelhouse and there is a man standing on the back deck as well as one standing next to the wheelhouse. The name Philadelphia can be seen written across the front of the wheelhouse. The river is low and shows the waterline at the Moama Beach. Four bridge pylons can be seen as well as the bridge itself.greenspot photography, p.s pevensey, murray river, echuca, la grue, bill, cossen's visit to echuca., all the rivers run, p. s philadelphia, echuca moama bridge, cossen family, cato, nancy

North east Victoria was a major dairy producing region in the late nineteenth century. The first iteration of the Wodonga Butter Factory Ltd was established in 1892. Dairy was sent from farmers across the district for processing at the factory in Wodonga in the 1890s. Victorian creameries regularly exported frozen butter to London, stock was transported by rail for sale in Melbourne, and of course sold and consumed locally. E.W. Manns, of the prominent local Wodonga family, was a shareholder and was closely involved in the establishment of the Wodonga Butter Company. Many families living on farms also owned their own cow, and had equipment to process their own dairy products at home. Milk cans such as this one were used to store and transport milk from farms to dairies and butter factories for processing.This item represents the history of local industry in Wodonga and north east Victoria. A large metal milk can with handlesmilk, butter, cream, dairy, milk can, farming, farm, cow, rural, agriculture, wodonga

Milk and cream were stored in steel cans for transportation to stores or local dairy companies.The dairy industry is and ha been one of the major industries in the Kiewa Valley. This cream can belonged to the Creamer family who owned and operated a dairy farm in the Kiewa Valley.Straight sided steel can with movable ring handles at the top on each side.The lid is slightly curved with a hinge on one side and securing clasp on its opposite side with a moveable ring handle attached (to the securing clasp).A plaque is attached on the top with an inscription. It appears one plaque has been removed from the lid and one from the side of the can."A. C. Bryon, Baranduda" on plaque on lid.dairy; cream can; kiewa valley; creamer family

The photograph is one of a series of photographs taken by Mike Rosel. Photographs P000027, P000028.2, P000029.3, P000030.2, P000031, P000032 are all held by Mike Rosel. This photograph shows Helen Coulson, the first Manager of the Port of Echuca, dressed in period costume, conducting a guided tour for a group of tourists, in the early 1980's. In the background another tour group is being guided through the Echuca Wharf Railway station. Shackell's Bond Store can be seen in the background. Echuca Hotel in High Street can also be seen in the distance. In the foreground there is a pile of sand bags.These photographs are significant because it shows Helen Coulson as a tour guide. It also shows that High Street could be seen from the wharf in the 1980's. These photographs also show the state of the wharf then.2 black and white photographs exactly the same,of tourists standing around a row boat which is sitting on top of the Echuca wharf. The tourists are listening to Helen Coulson, who is dressed in period costume. In the foreground is a pile of sand bags. More tourists can be seen in the background involved in a tour of the Echcua Wharf railway station. Shackell's Bond Store can be seen in the middle background, and Echcua Hotel, in High Street can be seen in the distance.There are no inscriptions or markings.helen coulson, shackell's bond store, echuca hotel, tourism, rosel, mike, echuca wharf

The Holy Trinity Anglican Church in this location was first opened in 1877. An earlier nearby prefabricated Church building known as the 'Iron Church' had served as the Anglican place of worship in Bacchus Marsh from around 1855 until 1877. The 1877 sandstone Church with a slate roof was intended as a permanent structure for Anglican worship in Bacchus Marsh and still stands in 2024 and continues to function as an Anglican Church. The building was designed by Frederick Wyatt and is described as early English Gothic in style. It was opened on 5 June 1877 by Bishop Moorhouse of Melbourne. The sandstone was acquired from Grant's quarry at Maddingley.Small sepia unframed photograph on card with gold border framing photograph. Housed in the Jeremeas Family Album, which contains photographs of Bacchus Marsh and District in 1883 by Stevenson and McNicoll. The photograph depicts the recently constructed Anglican Holy Trinity Church in Gisborne Road, Bacchus Marsh. The view of the building is from Gisborne Road looking west. From this angle the rear and southern side of the building can be seen. A picket fence along the entrance to the Church grounds can be seen in the foreground.On the front: Stevenson & McNicoll. Photo. 108 Elizabeth St. Melbourne. COPIES CAN BE OBTAINED AT ANY TIME. On the back: LIGHT & TRUTH inscribed on a banner surmounted by a representation of the rising sun. Copies of this Portrait can be had at any time by sending the Name and Post Office Money Order or Stamps for the amount of order to STEVENSON & McNICOLL LATE BENSON & STEVENSON, Photographers. 108 Elizabeth Street, MELBOURNE churches bacchus marsh, holy trinity anglican church bacchus marsh, holy trinity church of england bacchus marsh, stevenson and mcnicoll 1883 photographs of bacchus marsh and district