The first beverage cans were opened via puncture with a “church key” can opener.
In 1959, Ermal Fraze devised a can-opening method that would come to dominate the canned drink market. His invention was the "pull-tab". His first version used a lever that pierced a hole in the can. Unfortunately, this design produced a sharp opening, sometimes injuring the drinkers. Later he created the familiar pull-tab version, which had a ring attached at the rivet for pulling, and which would come off completely to be tossed aside.
His idea was patented by the United States government in 1963. Pittsburgh Brewing Company in Pittsburgh was the first company utilize Fraze’s design.
A pull-tab consists of a metal ring which, along with a wedge-shaped portion of the can top, is completely separated from the can when pulled to create an opening.
A variety of styles of pull-tabs evolved over the next 20 years or so, many of which pulled off completely and caused a great deal of environmental pollution. The version of the pop tab known today began to appear on beverage cans around 1980.
Pull-tab can for soft drink
