Tin Can Art II

Even thought the name "Tin can" suggest that the can is entirely made of tin, the cans are originally made out of tinplate steel. Steel was cheap and the tin layer prevented corrosion.

The first tin cans were produced in 1813 by two Englishmen who had bought the patent from a Frenchman. The factory canned foods solely for the British Army at first, but expended their production for more commercial use as of when it was made available to the common public.

Eating canned foods at that time was not very healthy; the cans were sealed with lead soldering which could cause severe lead poisoning, if many canned foods were consumed.

The first aluminum cans, as we know them today, made their entrance in the 1960s. This material is much lighter than steel and due to that fact lends itself perfectly for cutting, bending and shaping. In other words: it is excellent for creating can art!

Maybe next time you are about to go to a wedding, instead of tin cans tied to the car, you could make a unique wedding gift out of it.