215

White & Winkler

In March of 1903, Frank White and Fred Winkler applied for a patent on their

new can opener in Newark, New Jersey. On July 19, 1904 United States Patent

765,450 was issued to the pair and Fred assigned his rights to Frank. The thrust

of their

“

Can-Opener

”

patent was to provide a tool that could cut the tops off

cans either in a circle or a straight line with a means for catching the cut portion.

While it was not a part of their claim, the head of the implement included a bottle

cap lifter.

The tool was marketed under the name Sure-Cut and was produced with a

variety of shapes of wood handles. Some of the handles were drilled out on the

end to accommodate a Clough wire type corkscrew. The tool was also sold for

advertising purposes with the round handle allowing plenty of room for a

message. One Detroit, Michigan example reads

“

Compliments of The Peerless

Products Company, Manufacturers of High Grade Liquid Malt Extract Already

Prepared, 3520 Mitchell Near Gratiot, Phone Melrose 2464, 5046, 5047, We

Deliver.

”

The bar of the handle is marked

“

SURE-CUT

”

CAN OPENER PAT. 7-19-04. Two

versions of the head can be found. The first like the patent drawing has a slot to

slide it onto the bar and it is held in place by one rivet. It is marked CAP LIFTER

CAN OPENER. The later version required less bending to manufacturing by

eliminating the slot and fastening the head with two rivets. The head was also

used on the more common type loop metal handle.