Good videos, with context.
The Ingenious Design of the Aluminum Beverage Can

The Ingenious Design of the Aluminum Beverage Can

engineerguy
9 HN recommenders · discussed 2016–2026
Open YouTube ↗

About this video

Bill Hammack of Engineer Guy explains the engineering behind the aluminum beverage can: why it is cylindrical, how it is manufactured, why it narrows at the top, the double seam, and how the pull tab works.

Why it appears in the archive

It is a go-to recommendation whenever cans, good design or mass-produced objects come up, and many also recommend the whole channel.

AI-generated summary and labels from the source dataset; verify important details against the video. Source & credits.

From the Hacker News discussion

MawNicker · 2016-06 · strong rec

Wow. That was an awesome video. Thank you. I didn't know why the top had a neck. Further efficiency apparently. He has an excellent explanation of the two-mode pull tab towards the end. Direct link: [VIDEO]

Read original comment ↗
Laforet · 2016-07 · strong rec

While we are at it, the Engineering Guy has a really good youtube channel. His videos are not very frequent most of them does a great job explaining how mundane objects are designed and manufactured. I thought I was familiar with some of his subjects but I always end up learning something new after watching. Personal favourites: Aluminium cans: [VIDEO] Wind-up music box: [LINK] Nerf guns: [LINK]

Read original comment ↗
vanderZwan · 2021-02 · strong rec

Highly recommended related YT video: The Engineering Guy: The Ingenious Design of the Aluminum Beverage Can [VIDEO]

Read original comment ↗
anamexis · 2023-07 · strong rec

Engineer Guy (Bill Hammack) has a great video about this. [VIDEO] Edit: Just realized this is the same video you referenced. All of his work is fantastic.

Read original comment ↗
Gunax · 2024-10 · strong rec

Design of the aluminum beverage can [VIDEO] For everyone else, thanks for sharing! Normally i think sharing videos is bad mojo--the Internet is so personalized that favorites are difficult to share. But I really enjoyed most of what has been shared so far!

Read original comment ↗
leobakerhytch · 2019-11 · rec

Nice video on the design and manufacturing of aluminum drinks cans here: [VIDEO] The whole thing is pretty ingenious, but the way the internal pressure helps vent the can while the tab is acting as a second class lever, then as soon as it’s vented becomes a first class lever to push the scored section of the top into the can — that’s great engineering.

Read original comment ↗
jihadjihad · 2021-10 · rec

In a similar vein, I found this explanation [0] of how and why a soda can's tab functions the way it does to be fascinating. Very clever and elegant solution to the problem of opening a can under pressure. 0: [VIDEO]

Read original comment ↗
cjtoth · 2021-11 · rec

It feels pretty disingenuous to write off all real world design as trivial or impossible to make an impression. For instance, aluminum cans are a great example of quality design [VIDEO]

Read original comment ↗