Vintage Kitchen Gadget Leaves Internet Users Wondering About Its Purpose

Keyed Cans of the Early 20th Century
By the early 1900s, canned foods like sardines often featured “keyed” lids. These tins came with a small, attached key that allowed the consumer to roll back the lid incrementally.

While this innovation eliminated the need for separate openers, it introduced a new challenge: rolling the lid properly without spilling contents or tearing the can.

Despite being simpler, keyed cans required patience and technique, reinforcing the idea that early canned food was not as convenient as modern consumers might assume.