Canned Food

In the year 1795, Napoleon was a famous  general. He often led the army to war. The greatest problem they faced wewre the log distance marches where they had to fight intensely and prepare food for many people . The physical strength of the army personner was affected as they were unable to eat on time. Thus, Napoleon  offered a reward of 12,000 francs (French currency) to anyone  who was able to create a better food-preserving method.

In 1810 a French  candy producer, Nicolas Appert, invented a way to preserve food bottles. He put food into glass bottles, killed aal bacteria using high heat, and sealed the bottle with a cork that guaranteed that the food would not turn bad. The method proved to be successful. The army received a good supply of quality and well preserved food while Appert received 12,000 francs promised as a reward for his contribution.

In the same year, Englishman used the same method to produce long-lasting food bt used tin metal instead to substitute for the glass bottle. By the year 1860, a French scientist discovered the best way to preserve food. He stressed that sealing food alone was insufficient in keeping the food fresh; it was better to sterilize it.

Initially, people used hammers and chisels (tool with a specialy-shape cutting edge) to open these cans but this proved to be difficult. In 1855, a British man invented a claw can opener. In later years, a can opener with a butterfly-shaped knob, blade and gear was invented. By the 1970’s, an American can company invented ring-pulled cans which are widely used until today.

Food for Thought :

Demand is the source of innovation. Innovation is the process of solving problems and providing solutions to the daily inconveniences people face.

Short Stories on Discoveries, Inventions, Innovation & Creativity

AAET and UTAR, 2015

ms  4-5.