War, Exploration and Beer: How the Tin Can Changed the World

About this episode

This episode explores the history and impact of the tin can on food preservation and society.

Old-fashioned ways of preserving food made for salty, vinegary or chewy meals - but it was often a choice between that or starving. Soldiers, explorers and ordinary people alike faced malnutrition and food poisoning - but then came a French revolution... in a can!  First invented in Napoleonic France, the humble can would feed armies; sustain bold exploration; and give poor people access to wholesome food all year round. We don't think about the tin can much today, but its history is filled with skullduggery, vast riches and deadly choking hazards.    Write to us at businesshistory@pushkin.fm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Topics covered

• food preservation
• military history
• exploration
• nutrition
• industrial innovation

Keywords

• tin can
• food preservation
• Napoleonic France
• military nutrition
• exploration

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Pushkin Industries

Products: tin can

Places: Napoleonic France

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