Tin Can

The tin can was first patented in 1810 by one Peter Durand, a Frenchman. This patent was sold to two Englishmen who produced tin food goods for the British army. The early cans were sealed with lead solder which did occasionally lead to lead poisoning; this can at times be fatal.

Tin lids that are made today are usually made mainly of steel. They are only tin plated, having a very thin coating of tin. This means that if the tin layer is scratched the tin can begin to rust. The majority of the rest of the tin is made of aluminium, due to its low weight and low cost.