History of "Jerry Cans"

The name of the jerrycan refers to its German origins, Jerry being slang for Germans. By 1939 the German military had thousands of such cans stockpiled in anticipation of war.

Brits copy the German design

When the British Army first saw the German fuel cans during the Norwegian Campaign in 1940, they immediately saw the advantages of the superior design. The three handles allowed easy handling by one or two people, or movement bucket brigade-style. The handle design also allows for two empty cans to be carried in each hand, utilizing the outer handle.

British tin plate, 4-gallon petrol tin ("Flimsy"). Inexpensive, but weak, with a tendency to leak.

The American Adaptation

The one jerrycan in American possession was sent to Camp Holabird, Maryland, where it was redesigned. The new design retained the handles, size and shape, but is most easily distinguishable from the German original by the simplified 'X' - stiffening indentations in the sides of the can.

End of WWII

APRIL
British fuel jerrycans were used during training in England in preparation of the Allied landings in Normandy.

JUNE 6
On D-Day, Allied forces launched a combined naval, air and land assault on Nazi-occupied France. Early on 6 June, Allied airborne forces parachuted into drop zones across northern France. Ground troops then landed across five assault beaches - Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword.

Signing of the G.I. Bill

JUNE 22
The Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the G.I. Bill, was signed into law. It provided a range of benefits for returning World War II veterans (commonly referred to as G.I.s). Benefits included low-cost mortgages, low-interest loans to start a business or farm, one year of unemployment compensation, and dedicated payments of tuition and living expenses to attend high school, college, or vocational school.

Midwest Can Company was founded

In 1945, a returning World War ll Navy veteran established the Midwest Can Company as a small shop in Chicago and began manufacturing portable gas cans for the American consumer.

The First Metal Cans weren't Gasoline...

After securing his first order for 5-gallon metal cans from the US Government for survival biscuits, these biscuits were used during the 1940’s and 1950’s for foods needed in the fall-out shelters.

Federal Highway Act of 1956

Throughout the late 50's, 60's and 70's, the US Highway System was built - first started to transport goods to the west coast - a testament to post-WWII legislation.

A boon for American manufacturing

As car ownership and interstate travel increased throughout the US and Canada, spurred by baby-boomers reaching their teen years, the portable fuel container market benefitted greatly.

Insert title of first historical event of this year here

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Sit amet nisl suscipit adipiscing bibendum est ultricies integer. Netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas sed. In ornare quam viverra orci sagittis eu volutpat.

Insert title of first historical

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Sit amet nisl suscipit adipiscing bibendum est ultricies integer. Netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas sed. In ornare quam viverra orci sagittis eu volutpat.