Donkin Tin Can

Illustration

Mark Cartwright
by Science Museum, London
published on 18 April 2023
Donkin Tin Can Download Full Size Image

A Donkin tin can. The commercially viable tin can that preserved food was invented in 1811 by Bryan Donkin (1768-1855). Donkin built on the ideas of others to perfect a cheap and safe canning process. The idea was that soldiers, mariners, and explorers could take a food supply anywhere. Donkin ran his canning factory in London from 1813, the Donkin, Hall & Gamble Company. The cans were expensive and heavy – the lightest was 2 kilograms (4.4 lbs) – and needed to be opened using special tools, but they were used by both the military and polar explorers with success to preserve soup, meat, and vegetables.

Science Museum, London.

Remove Ads
Advertisement

Cite This Work

APA Style

London, S. M. (2023, April 18). Donkin Tin Can. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17301/donkin-tin-can/

Chicago Style

London, Science Museum,. "Donkin Tin Can." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified April 18, 2023. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17301/donkin-tin-can/.

MLA Style

London, Science Museum,. "Donkin Tin Can." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 18 Apr 2023. Web. 13 Oct 2024.

Membership