Many people tend to assume that cans and can openers were invented around the same time, as it is now considered essential to have a logger can order to open a box. It is not, in fact, the case: boxes was invented in the 19th century, to keep food for the Navy, while that can openers were not invented until a man named Ezra Warner came the idea of half a decade later. In the meantime, people were finding creative ways to open mailboxes, often using knives or a hammer and chisel.
The opener can we all know and love today dates back to 1925, although it is only a minor modification to the original design of 1870, add an irregular edge cutting wheel. Is reflecting their usefulness that the only change since the introduction of electric can openers, but electric can openers are not ubiquitous, and it is rare to find a kitchen which has an opener may in the classic design boxes pull-to-open was invented some 50 years ago, people still open millions of cans each day using may openers, boxes are much cheaper manufacturing when they do not understand a ringpull. There is also a certain value of nostalgia in opening a can with a logger can if you didn't do for some time - although it may be a little dangerous if you cut yourself on the edge of sharp metal from the top of the box.
However, the classic design of the wheel is not the only type of can opener autour. One very common is the P-38 handheld can opener, used in the army and often provided with food aid in developing countries. It is much cheaper to do as a can opener, normal since it uses much less metal composed solely of a metal blade with a "hook". Experience, it can even be much faster to use than a normal can opener and it is certainly easier to transport and store.