How did people open cans before the invention of the can opener?

I can opener?

(Pls to make lolcat pic yrself kthxbye)

a knife and/or other sharp object?

But seriously: cans were invented in about 1810 and can openers around 1860. Humans and cats almost died out from starvation. (Yeah, knives, chisels, nails)

Can't find your can opener huh.

where did people store whupass before 1810

It's not that hard to open a tin can with a short knife. Knives were invented prior to cans.

where did people store whupass before 1810

in a satchel

You're telling me people knifed and chiselled their way into cans before the invention of the can opener?

lol they was dumb

the tab

with their dick

You're telling me people knifed and chiselled their way into cans before the invention of the can opener?

Early "can-openers" were little more than knives.

Vietnam-era can-opener:

http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/8048/imageuploadimagexf0.jpg

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/7486/imageuploadimageod5.jpg

i used to have one on my key chain. my dad (who used to be in the army) has tons of 'em.

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/9704/imageuploadimageul2.jpg

You can get similar implements now for backpacking purposes.

For the first time since I started my job more than a year ago, there was no can opener to be found in the kitchen at my work. I was pretty pissed off. I finally made it to the 4th floor where I found one.

I mean I'd just run at the gym for 60 bleeding minutes and these mother fuckers were gonna tell me I couldn't have some soup?

Anyway this happened Thursday, as if anyone cares.

t'ain't right

in high school my friends and i would steal the can opener from the kitchen whenever we were at a house party whether it was manual or electric. my friend almost almost stole one of those ones that mounts under a cabinet once.

a can opener is one of those things that you don't realize is missing until you really need it.

see also corkscrews

I think this is an amazing question

though the answers have dampened my excitement some

I wish I had a portable (beer) bottle opener! THAT's something I often need. I had a lovely one but it was stolen.

How did people open cans before the invention of the can opener?

Explosives.
Magic.
Gravity.

(this what you expected? xpost)