It was expected that the user would come up with ingenious ways to open the cans, using whatever tools were available. There was also a suggestion on those early cans, reading: "Cut round the top near the outer edge with a chisel and hammer."
Only in the 1850's did someone think it wise to develop a device to make it easier to get to one's food.
In 1855, Robert Yeates, a cutlery and surgical instrument maker of Trafalgar Place West, Hackney Road, Middlesex, UK, devised the first claw-ended can opener with a hand-operated tool that was used with much effort to hack away at the lid.
Various flawed designs made their subsequent appearance, but it was only in 1931 that a sensible can opener was designed by the Bunker Clancey Company of Kansas City, Missouri. It was called the "Bunker."
It consisted of the now well known plier-type handles, cutting wheel and turning key.
Since then, more modern, electric openers have been manufactured. At least nobody has to plan a day ahead to open a can of tuna anymore!
