The Invention of the Pull-Tab......................and the guy wed all love to stomp

[cti4sw]

The Invention of the Pull-Tab......................and the guy we'd all love to stomp

​

In 1959, Ermal Fraze devised a can-opening method that would come to dominate the canned beverage market. His invention was the "pull-tab". This eliminated the need for a separate opener tool by attaching an aluminium pull-ring lever with a rivet to a pre-scored wedge-shaped tab section of the can top. It was like having an opener tool built into every can. The ring was riveted to the center of the top, which created a wedge opening long enough so that one hole served to both let the beverage flow out while air flowed in. Into the 1970s, the pull-tab was widely popular, however its popularity came with a significant problem as people would frequently discard the pull-tabs on the ground as litter. One technique that avoided littering was to drop the pull-tab into the drink. The littering problem was also addressed by the invention of the "push-tab".

According to a biography site, Fraze died of a brain tumor in 1989. I think that was Mother Earth's way of saying "#$%^ YOU!"

Just an FYI for those who are curious you can read the rest of the Wikipedia article here.


EDIT: The first pull-tabs did not have rings; it was simply a wedge of aluminum scored into the top of the can held in place by a rivet. A solid aluminum flap connected to the rivet would remove the wedge with a zipping motion (why they were called "zip tops") and they were originally marketed by Iron City Brewery and Schlitz.

​

The more common ring-top pull tabs we see today replaced zip-tops in 1965. Ring-tops used a ring (duh) to pull the tab away from the can, which could then be discarded. For the next decade, breweries experimented with many different opening concepts to eliminate the physical danger inherent in every zip-tab: the cuts on feet, fingers, and mouths.

​

In 1975 the modern-day StaTab was designed by Daniel Cudzik and first featured by Falls City Brewery. Rather than remove the tab altogether, the StaTab pushed it into the can on a creasing hinge and the ring could be leveled with the top of the can or removed by itself.

​

And of course, we have the modern-day pop-top used by every brewery and soda company toda:

​

I figured knowing how to date these damn things could at least tell you pull-tab miners how old the field you're hunting is...

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

DR.ÖTEK Metal Detector, Waterproof Gold Detector, Pinpoint & Terrain Modes, Professional Metal Detector - Grab it through Amazon!

[granthansen]

I love useless knowledge, and this is both useless and useFUL to our hobby. Thank you for posting this.

 

[ticm]

<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=664540"/>

According to a biography site, Fraze died of a brain tumor in 1989. I think that was Mother Earth's way of saying "#$%^ YOU!"

Just an FYI for those who are curious you can read the rest of the Wikipedia article here.

So you like the fact that someone died of a brain tumor?

 

[cti4sw]

Not "someone". Just him. But there are a few others whom I wish that would happen to.

 

[ticm]

Not "someone". Just him. But there are a few others whom I wish that would happen to.

You are a angry person.

 

[cti4sw]

Nah, not so much anymore. Hate takes energy, it's easier to just not like people than it is to hate them. I used to be an angry person, but I got over it.

 

[ticm]

Nah, not so much anymore. Hate takes energy, it's easier to just not like people than it is to hate them. I used to be an angry person, but I got over it.

Now you have it.

 

[WHADIFIND]

May I add another perspective?

First of all, there are many days where I want to "talk" to the inventor.

BUT, just like all the other garbage we uncover, it is not the fault of the inventor. It's people.

When I'm walking across an unfamiliar soccer field I absolutely know when I'm getting to the areas where the "people" set up to watch the big game. The signals go up in count. Why oh why do people think that it could EVER be ok to just pull off a tab, unscrew a cap, or take an empty can, bottle, wrapper, etc. and just wing it over their shoulder? EVER!?!?! I wonder what would be found in their yards?

Wanna find out what they really think about it, well then, just follow one home to their house and when they get out of their car, wing an empty can onto their front lawn while they're watching. Wave, and see how fast they chase you. If they catch you tell 'em not to worry, in 5-10 years the whole can will sink out of sight. LOL

HH!

And happy cleaning.

 

[GaRebel1861]

I bet when Ermal Fraze invented this pull top he never imaged the pollution effects that it would have. Just that he had a good idea of opening a can which was better and easier than the church key method. As far as dying from cancer, I have yet to meet anyone that "deserves" that death.

 

[dp2013]

As someone said before it was not the fault of the inventor of the pull tab. The lazy and ignorant people leaving their garbage behind are to blame. As someone who lived during a time before pull tabs it was frustrating to have a perfectly good beverage in hand and no opener any where around. of course a screw driver or knife would do the trick in a pinch. Don't pick on the now dead inventor.

 

[Mzjavert]

Well the pull tab, designed to stay on the can, has been around for nearly 30 years...and I'm always finding those tabs. In terms of pollution, we'd do much better to carry a small, old fashioned can opener on our keychains. My swiss army knife already has this tool, so let's ditch the pull tabs all together.

Any whosit, cool link. I would have never guessed he'd actually be known.

 

[nsdq]

i would rather find a pull tap than used rain coats at kiddy parks

 

[Moonrover]

I liked the old church key days. Opening a can the old fashioned way is a lost art. You had to be aware of the result of over rotating the opening action.

As to trash tossing dorkheads ... the gene pool is alive and well. The walk past my house is proof.

M

 

[worldtalker]

Not "someone". Just him. But there are a few others whom I wish that would happen to.

Be VERY careful what you wish for,it may end up YOU!!!!!!!!!

 

[chrisplay2004]

Ahh...the pull tab, pop top zip tab...Everything you ever wanted to know about the beloved pull tab here...
http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/what/281668-cool-pulltab-believe-not.html

 

[matt092079]

What fun would it be if it didn't exist? That means every pull tab signal would ACTUALLY be a gold ring. Wait...that would be a good thing. DAMN PULL TABS!!!!!

 

[Iskuli]

Not a pull tab fan; however, it is what it is. How to deal with it.......A different perspective: When I get to an area that has pull tabs I know other treasure hunters skipped this area. THAT MEANS, I find all kinds of jewelry, nickels, and coins. It's a fact! He or she, who has patience, in these areas can clean up, AND clean up (pun intended)

 

[JimDon]

If it wasn't for this guy I would probably would not have any gold. It makes it challenging. You have to also remember the can slaw.

 

[cti4sw]

As someone said before it was not the fault of the inventor of the pull tab. The lazy and ignorant people leaving their garbage behind are to blame. As someone who lived during a time before pull tabs it was frustrating to have a perfectly good beverage in hand and no opener any where around. of course a screw driver or knife would do the trick in a pinch. Don't pick on the now dead inventor.

I'm not picking on him per se, it's kind of like the old kids' "Yo Momma..." insults. It's not your real mom, Mrs. Jones/Smith/Carpenter/whatever, it's...well, yo momma; a figure of speech. People always talk about how they'd shoot the guy who invented whatever was inconvenient to them at that time, but in reality, they'd probably shake his hand and congratulate him on his pre-dot-com strike-it-rich business scheme.

And you're right, cancer isn't a death anyone really deserves... it was another figure of speech.

They are a good omen, I will grant you that. But it's only the OLD ones that are good omens, because it means no MDer has been there since 1959. A field could be completely hunted out and after a weekend of heavy partying could be a new aluminum mine.

 

[Jarl]

Hmm, something to consider for everyone...Ronald McDonald House Charities Pop Tab Fundraiser. Remember these? According to their website they(or their numerous chapters) raise $30,000 per year in pop tab collections. But they say the 'tabs' are preferred over the 'can' itself because it is more sanitary to store them. Hmmm, not sure my dirty root infested tabs are going to work for RMHC fundraiser. It was a thought at least. Always trying to see the good in everything.