Do you think this is just an ordinary key? Think again. In our high-tech era, it’s easy to take the simplicity of everyday items for granted.

You might be surprised to discover the unique role this key once played.

As technology advances, many traditional kitchen tools fall by the wayside, replaced by modern innovations. This piece dives into the evolution of canned food and the tools designed to open it.

Today, opening a can is as simple as pressing a tab, but it wasn’t always this way. In the past, people relied on a special key to access their food.

The history of this tool is intriguing—not only how it was developed but also how it eventually became obsolete.

In the late 19th century, as canned food gained popularity, there was a growing need for a practical opening solution.

These keys were a far cry from the electric openers we use today. Before their invention, opening cans with knives was not only cumbersome but also dangerous.

Even the early keys required considerable effort, though later designs made the process slightly easier. These early models featured a sharp blade and a rotating handle, offering a significant improvement at the time, even if they wouldn’t measure up to today’s standards.