Probably been answered many times - but I wondering - when was the first crimped steel can released? Anyone have an idea of what brand/can it was? Which can company?

No quick replies... hmmm, maybe I should ask what is he earliest crimped steel can (3 piece) you know of?

@Mark (expired) My best guess is going to be 1968 based on this document, Beer_Cans_A_Guide_for_the_Archaeologist. I'm sure more research in the Marketing Packaging pages might help refine the date. Here is why I say 1968:

MP = reference to Modern Packaging data

1966 -"Neck-in chime" cans (lid smaller than can body) introduced. 1966, aluminum cans with a lid smaller than the body of the can (known as a "neck-in chime") appeared on the market (MP 1966a).

1968 - TFS cans were available in both the traditional straight-sided style, and the neck-in chime style (MP 1968b).

Foot notes =
1966a Neck-in Chime on New Aluminum Cans (Equipment and Materials). Modern Packaging 39(11):66.
1968b Advertisement, Continental Can Company. Modern Packaging 41(4):back cover.

@Mark (expired) Another interesting portion from this same document that helps answer some of your query.....

Aluminum cans became most common during the 1970s, due primarily to the fact that aluminum cans weigh less than steel cans and so are more economical for the brewer to ship. To combat this situation, steel can manufacturers began to market "crimped-steel" cans - cans with end pieces smaller than the body of the can (MP 1970). These cans are lighter in weight and require less shipping space than straight-sided steel cans. "Crimped-steel" cans also have a more narrow side seam (5 mm) than most straight-sided steel cans (those which are not welded).

1970 New Economy in Shrink-Wrapped Six-Packs for Double-Neck-In TFS Beer Cans. Modern Packaging 43(1):71.

Thanks Keith! Much earlier than I had been thinking is possible. Curious if folks have any dated advertisements going back to the late 60's of early 70's?

Mark (expired) wrote: ↑Mon Nov 05, 2018 6:20 am Thanks Keith! Much earlier than I had been thinking is possible. Curious if folks have any dated advertisements going back to the late 60's of early 70's?

Interesting. Off the top of my head, I would have guessed circa 1974. Definitely earlier than I thought as well.

@Mark (expired) and @OhioCanGuy Mark and Bob.....Here are some additional articles to firm up the details and dates....

Looks like an effort was made beginning in 1965/1966 to develop Tin-Free-Steel (TFS) cans. Looks like to took some time to develop and of course the market decided to raise the prices as the canning company's were developing the capability. At the same time, aluminum was making a foot hold into the canning world. Based on these articles it looks like the desire to move forward with the concept was 1965/1966. It wasn't until 1968 that plants took on the capability. Bethlehem being the first. Hamms was so interested in the capability that they built their own plant.

The Times Recorder Wed Aug 18 1965 Independent Press Telegram Sun Aug 29 1965 Pittsburgh Post Gazette Wed Oct 13 1965 The Journal News Fri Oct 29 1965 The Oshkosh Northwestern Thu Apr 28 1966 The Journal Herald Thu Jul 11 1968 Star Tribune Sat Mar 29 1969

@Mark (expired) Also looks like this paper would answer all of your questions but I'm not able to get the full document. Shame....looks like it would be a great paper to have...According to the opening statement it says TFS was under production for the "last year". This article being 1967 would have meant it (TFS) was in production by 1966. Based in the index, the article was seven pages in length.....and you could purchase 24 hours access to the document for the ever-loving price of $50.......

Tin-Free Steel Beer Cans
Proceedings. Annual meeting - American Society of Brewing Chemists
Volume 25, 1967 - Issue 1: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting 1967

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10. ... 7.12006152

Here is the first page.....

Thanks for all the articles... TFS cans and crimping seem to have some coordination. Given the article about Tennent cans you shared, it seems that the crimping was done as much, if not more, for the reason of smoothing out the canning line flow. It seems the unsealed flange of straight steel cans as they were run down the line at faster and faster speeds tended to ride up on one another and cause line stoppages. By shifting to the crimped steel, they were able to minimize the overhang and reduce a problematic reason for jambs. This seemed to be more important, at least to the fellow at Tennents, than the improvement in packing.

A Texas collector has an unpictured Lone Star test can that is crimped steel. The can exists as a normal production can in straight steel. I don't have the book in front of me but it is the white can with the large Lone Star shield, but crimped steel. The can lists both San Antonio and Oklahoma City so it is from 1970 or earlier.

- Mike

@Longhorn Mike Just for you.....discusses the "neck-in" production.....

San Antonio Express Tue Jun 23 1970 Victoria Advocate Sat Jul 31 1971 Express and News Sun Jan 30 1972

trust rust, how ‘bout some pics- Ziphippie

Thanks!
The answers shared are giving a better understanding of the crimped steel shift. Any CAN-idates for the first beaded seam crimped beer cans?

I always wondered how early this crimped steel can was.....it came out of the Olympia archives and it sported the straight steel label and a 10 oz fan tab lid? The usual crimped steel were all white cans. I have a similar crimped Hamms draft keg test can with the same 10 oz fan tab lid from Olympia as well.
Could just be an in house Franken-can of some type or an early test of crimped steel at Olympia. Who knows?

Eric Palmer

Like the Olympia! what kind of seam does it have?

Cool subject. I love variations. I'm not sure when these came out but they are early according to the brewing info on the seam. Jacob Schmidt Brewing Co, Division of Associated was around from 1962-72. The Pfeiffer is pre-zip code and they are both fan tabs. The North Star is bottom opened and is the only crimped NS I know about. ML

Mark (expired) wrote:Like the Olympia! what kind of seam does it have?

Same seam and lid as the North Star and the Pfeifer....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've seen plenty of crimp steel Pfeiffer's, but they were all by Heilman. I've never seen a crimp North Star from any brewery.

Come to think of it, these two cans are the only crimp cans I've ever seen from Associated.

- Mike

oddball foreign crimped flat

Budweiser crimped fan tab. This was a factory test can with factory note on side saying 30 degree necked in, 1966. LEON.

Hi Leon, thanks for posting - what does the seam look like on the Bud?

The 1965 story with "Steel in containers for beverages soon" is clearly a case of the headline writer missing a point or two of the story, and only 30 years off the mark for beer in steel containers!

Mark (expired) wrote: ↑Sat Dec 22, 2018 4:21 am Hi Leon, thanks for posting - what does the seam look like on the Bud?

Here's 2 pics of seam. Correction, Date is 1968 on can, not 66. LEON.

click pic to super size.

Here's an early crimped can, Pre 1971 anyway, It has a welded seam instead of mira seam glued seam.

C 1969, Old Milwaukee Draft, Continental Can.