P-38 Patents
There is evidence that the P-38 Can Opener was
invented much earlier than had previously been thought.
In an informative blog by Mr. Bob Shaver, he
illustrates that the P-38 can opener or similar can openers were
patented as early as 1913 . . .
Patent 1913
This is an interesting can opener, it is much like the
current P-38 can opener but it is more rectangular and there is no
strengthening rib down the back of the body. The rim catch is also
more rounded than the current P-38 can opener.
In the early days of
WWII, the Army designed C
rations. What they needed
to go along with the canned
food of C rations was a very
small disposable
can-opener. Designed in 30
days by the Subsistence
Research Laboratory of
Chicago, the tiny folding
can opener was perfect. As
the troops used it in field
conditions, it was realized
that it was the perfect
invention. It was tiny,
almost weightless, and it
did the job. Experience
proved that 38 punches of
the can opener would open a
C ration can, and it became
the P-38. It also was
perfect as an emergency
screwdriver, as a cleaner
for boots and a million
other tasks.
This excerpt from Bob
Shaver's P-38 Blog #1
|
Patent 1928
This can opener appears to be very similar to the P-38
but there is no hole in the body and by the drawing it appears the body
is very narrow and longer than the P38.
Patent 1933
I have never seen an example of this specimen but it
appears to be another attempt at perfecting the can opener. If
anyone has an example of this can opener we would love to have a
photograph for our archive.
| Blog response to Bob Shaver's original
P-38 Blog. I still have the first
one I grabbed out of our first box of C-rations, in Army boot
camp in 1977. The only place a GI could get them was in a case
(12) of C-rations, where they appeared to be thrown in as an
afterthought, 4-5 to the case. It's on my keychain. I still use
it to open cans when camping (car-camping, that is). I've used
it to adjust my carburetor, get a grip on a splinter, clean my
fingernails, pick my teeth, adjust rifle sights, let air out of
a tire, rip open taped boxes, and open cans of all sizes to the
gasps and amazement of lookers-on. It shows no sign of wear,
other than the hole where the keyring has carried it for 28
years.
Posted by
Lucky - May 2, 2005 |
Patent 1945
One thing about this patent that is missing from the
current military engineering drawings is the little stop "boss" that
keeps the blade in the closed position until it is purposely opened for
use.
Patent 1946
J.W. Speaker Company did in fact make these can openers.
It is hard to see all aspects of this drawings as there is NOT a break
out of the blade itself but none-the-less this is a wonderful drawing.
12-2005
We want to extend big Texas thank you to Mr. Shaver and
his on-going effort to research the history of the folding can opener.
Using his blog as his soapbox he has enlightened and informed all of us.
Since his first posting of patents that involve the P-38 can openers he
has revisited the subject with new and interesting information.
Patent 1923
This can opener is extremely interesting as it has a
folding clasp that holds the cutting blade in the closed position when
not in use. This unit also has a build in bottle opener. One
wonders if the folding clasp was chamfered on the end would it also
double as a screwdriver?
Patent 1953
Another P-38 derivative - it folds flat into a recessed
pocket that is formed when the main body of the can opener is stamped
then folded over. The cutting blade swings outward from the
recessed pocket for use by the operator.
This can opener is interesting as it has two cutting
blades. It has qualities of the P-38 in that it folds flat when
not in use and appears to have a formed rib for strength.
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