How Aluminum Changed the Way We Drink

From Glass Bottles to Church Keys

For decades, beverages came in glass bottles, and while they offered a reliable seal and preserved flavor well, they weren’t exactly practical. Glass bottles are heavy, fragile, and not so easily portable. 

Metal beverage cans later made their way to the mainstream in the 1930s, but these early cans were made of steel, and came with their own set of challenges.

Opening a steel can required a tool known as a “church key,” which punctured two holes: one to drink from, and one for airflow. It was messy, slow, and inconvenient. These cans were also prone to rust and added significant weight to shipments.

The Rise of Aluminum

When aluminum gained momentum in the late 1950s, it completely changed the game. Unlike steel, aluminum’s light weight, corrosion resistance, and recyclability made it the preferred material for beverage manufacturers.

Coors and Hawaii Brewing Company were among the first to test aluminum cans, introducing early versions that cut down on weight and eliminated rust.

Aluminum cans were easier to transport, chilled more quickly, and didn’t shatter like glass. And aluminum’s biggest advantage came just a few years later with the introduction of the pull tab.

The Pull-Tab Revolution

In 1962, Ermal Fraze invented the first removable pull tab after attending a picnic and forgetting his can opener. His design allowed drinkers to open a can with their fingers—no tools, no mess, and no fuss. It wasn’t long after Fraze’s invention that the pull tab had become standard in the US.

But like most new innovations, it came with its own issues. Detached pull tabs quickly became a litter problem, and presented a new, unpredictable safety hazard: children or pets would sometimes swallow them.

Enter: the stay-on tab—a cleaner, safer solution that keeps the tab attached to the can. This basic design was introduced in 1975, and remains in use today.

A Cultural Shift

As aluminum cans became more practical, they also grew in popularity. They fit neatly into coolers and cupholders, travel easily to concerts and sports venues, and offer a far more sustainable choice than plastic. Over time, premium beverage brands and craft breweries embraced the can for its convenience and environmental benefits.

The shift from bottles to cans wasn’t solely about packaging, though. It changed how and where people consumed drinks all over the world. The portability of aluminum made it easier to take our favorite beverages anywhere and everywhere, without worrying about broken glass.

Golden Aluminum’s Role

Most people don’t think twice about opening a can—but our can-maker partners, including some of the world’s most recognized beverage brands, certainly do. And so do we at Golden Aluminum.

Every aluminum can-end tab we produce reflects our commitment to quality, reliability, safety, and precision—from our partners all the way to the final consumer.

Each can-end tab is the result of careful engineering, designed to open smoothly, stay attached, and recycle easily. It’s a small piece of metal, but it plays a big role in making beverage cans better for consumers and the planet.

Brands that value both performance, sustainability and customizability depend on our materials to create beverage packaging that’s not only functional, but also helps shape a greener future.

Looking Ahead

Aluminum didn’t just change beverage containers. It shifted the culture around how we drink. The way we open and enjoy canned drinks today is the result of years of focused engineering and incremental progress—no church keys necessary.

From increasing the recycled content in cans, to developing even more efficient designs, innovation in aluminum packaging is ongoing. At Golden Aluminum, we remain committed to advancing that future by making products that are lighter, stronger, and more sustainable.