The Invention of the Pop-Top: A Story of Ingenuity and Innovation
The Birth of an American Icon
The distinctive sound of a pop-top can is synonymous with summer gatherings and casual enjoyment. This seemingly simple invention has a rich history and has revolutionized the way we consume beverages.
The pop-top, a generic term for the various tab openers that have adorned cans for decades, is a distinctly American innovation. Its inventor, Ermal “Ernie” C. Fraze, was a Dayton, Ohio, inventor who found himself frustrated at a picnic in 1959 when he couldn’t open his beer without a church key.
Determined to find a better way, Fraze began experimenting with different designs. Inspired by a rivet, he developed a tab that, when lifted, would break a prescored metal sipping hole near the edge of the can. This design, known as the zip-top, was a pull-off tab that was discarded after use.
The Rise of the Zip-Top
Fraze sold his zip-top design to the Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa), which attached it to Iron City Beer cans. The pop-top quickly gained popularity, increasing Iron City Beer sales by a staggering 400%. By the early 1970s, the zip-top was the world’s go-to tab.
However, the zip-top had its drawbacks. The sharp, detached aluminum tabs littered streets and beaches, and there were reports of people swallowing them or cutting themselves on them.
The Push for a Safer Tab
To address these concerns, Coors debuted the short-lived push-tab can in the mid-1970s. This device had drinkers poking their fingertips through sharp metal holes, resulting in bloody beer and numerous injuries.
The Invention of the Stay-On-Tab
Finally, in 1976, Daniel F. Cudzik of Reynolds Metal Co. patented the “Stay-On-Tab,” a push-in-fold-back tab that is still used today. This design eliminated the litter problem and the risk of ingestion and cuts.
The Legacy of Ermal Fraze
Although Cudzik’s Stay-On-Tab ultimately prevailed in the market, Fraze remains the progenitor of the pop-top. His invention changed the world, and he became the chief executive of Dayton Reliable Tool until his death in 1989. Today, his company continues to innovate in the metal packaging industry.
The Global Impact of the Pop-Top
The pop-top has become a global phenomenon, with billions of cans opened each year around the world. Its distinctive sound is a reminder of the ingenuity and innovation that have shaped our modern world.
The Cultural Significance of the Pop-Top
The sound of the pop-top has become a cultural icon, associated with summer gatherings, backyard barbecues, and carefree moments. It is a reminder of the simple pleasures in life and the enduring legacy of American invention.