Can Opener Day

National Can Opener Day is celebrated on August 24 and is dedicated to the invention of the can opener—an essential tool for opening canned food.

History

The history of the can opener begins in 1772, when tin cans were first invented. However, opening them was a real challenge and usually required a hammer and chisel. In 1855, a special knife for opening cans was patented in Great Britain, and in 1858, a similar invention was patented in the United States. These early openers were simply variations of ordinary knives and were still inconvenient to use.

In 1870, can openers with a rotating cutting wheel were introduced, but these models still required the can to be pierced first. The real breakthrough in can opener technology came in 1925, when the Star Can Opener company introduced a model with an additional wheel and pliers to hold the can. Variations of this model are still used today.

Interesting Facts

• The inventor of the lever-type can opener, Robert Yates, also manufactured surgical instruments.
• The American lever can opener, invented by Ezra Warner, was widely used by Union Army soldiers during the Civil War.
• The first electric can openers appeared in 1931 but were not successful at first.
• In 1956, the wall-mounted can opener was invented, but it also failed to gain popularity.

How to Take Part

Celebrate National Can Opener Day by enjoying your favorite canned foods, or maybe investing in a new, more efficient can opener. Share your celebration on social media using the hashtag #NationalCanOpenerDay.

When is National Can Opener Day in 2025?

National Can Opener Day is observed on August 24 each year.

Observations