Common 20th Century Artifacts – A Guide to Dating – Cans, Beer

 

Historical archaeologists and others trying to date historical sites by means of the artifacts found on them are increasingly interested in common items manufactured during the lifetimes of people still living. This dating guide is intended to provide a simple source for the most common artifacts found in archaeological or historic contexts.

Cathy Spude compiled the following dating information for use by the public and professionals.

• Aluminum Foil
• Bottles, General
• Bottles, Beer
• Cans, General
• Cans, Beer
• Cigarettes
• Closures, Bottle
• Plastics and Synthetics
• Other Artifacts
• References Cited

Cans, Beer

1935: First beer cans. Produced by the American Can Company, and used by Pabst Brewery. By end of the year, 36 companies were selling canned beer (BCCN 1985: 1, 5-6).

1940-1955: “Crowntainer” aluminum coated steel can, painted outside, hot wax inside, cone topped can (BCCN 1985: 21).

Pre-1942: Large letters “BEER” or “ALE” on cans (Cady 1976: 44).

1942-1945: Tin-plated cans reserved for exclusive use by the military. Words “WITHDRAWN FREE OF TAX” Olive drab or gray cans (BCCN 1985: 21).

1942: End of production of beer cans for civilians (Cady 1976: 15).

1950: Dropped use of IRTD statement on cans “INTERNAL REVENUE TAX PAID” (BCCN 1985: 22 Cady 1976: 43).

1953: One fourth of all beer sold in cans (Cady 1976: 15).

1954: Appearance of 16 oz. Beer can, as well as 10, 11, 14, and 15 oz. Cans (BCCN 1985: 22; Cady 1976: 15).

1959: Introduction of all-aluminum can by Coors (Wright 1976: 22).

1959: Introduction of the 7 oz. Coors can (BCCN 1985: 22).

1963: Hamm’s, Budweiser, Busch aluminum cans (Wright 1976: 22).

1963: First use of pull tabs (BCCN 1985: 22; Bull, et al. 1984: 10).

1964: Large number of breweries using all aluminum cans (Wright 1976: 22).

1965: Ring top pull tab. 65% of all beer cans had pull tabs (BCCN 1985: 22; Bull, et al. 1984: 10).

1965: Begin of gradual change to crimped cans (BCCN 1985: 23).

1969: Canned beer outsells bottled beer (Bull, et al. 1984: 10).

1975: Nearly 100% of all beer cans were easy-open tops (Wright 1976: 22).

1975: “Sta Tab” top (Reynolds Aluminum) (BCCN 1985: 23).

1984: Last straight-sided can (BCCN 1985: 23).