Canned food was invented for military use, but soldiers had to cut cans open with bayonets.

In 1810, Appert’s method of canning food was officially recognized by the French government; he was awarded the prize money and published his methods in a book called The Art of Preserving Animal and Vegetable Substances for Many Years. The same year, the process for using tin-coated iron cans for preserved food was patented, and by 1813, England was supplying canned food to the Royal Navy. While the problem of properly preserving food was solved, another issue presented itself: opening the cans. Soldiers resorted to using their weapons to get to their food, trying to cut them open with their bayonets or knives. It wasn’t until decades later, in the 1850s, that the can opener was finally invented.