The P-38 GI Can Opener

In the early days of WWII, the Army designed C rations.  What they needed to go along with the canned food of C rations was a very small disposable can-opener.  Designed in 30 days by the Subsistence Research Laboratory of Chicago, the tiny folding can opener was perfect.  As the troops used it in field conditions, it was realized that it was the perfect invention.  It was tiny, almost weightless, and it did the job.  Experience proved that 38 punches of the can opener would open a C ration can, and it became the P-38.  It also was perfect as an emergency screwdriver, as a cleaner for boots and a million other tasks. Link to P38 can opener patents. 

   

Comments

[Tim Palmer]

It also "is" perfect as an emergency screwdriver, as a cleaner for boots and a million other tasks.

I've got one on my keychain and find it quite handy even in the urban jungle.

http://www.georgia-outfitters.com/page52.shtml has 2 for $1.

[Bob Shaver]

I have one in survival kit, on my picnic basket, and in my backpackign cook set. You can't have too many.

[Lucky]

I still have the first one I grabbed out of our first box of C-rations, in Army boot camp in 1977. The only place a GI could get them was in a case (12) of C-rations, where they appeared to be thrown in as an afterthought, 4-5 to the case. It's on my keychain. I still use it to open cans when camping (car-camping, that is). I've used it to adjust my carburetor, get a grip on a splinter, clean my fingernails, pick my teeth, adjust rifle sights, let air out of a tire, rip open taped boxes, and open cans of all sizes to the gasps and amazement of lookers-on. It shows no sign of wear, other than the hole where the keyring has carried it for 28 years.

[Marcel]

At the photoalbum of http://www.the-canopener.com look for category line item: K T - Simple turn key, Rim Latch
Many variations to the theme.

[Fladonn]

The P-38 name had nothing to do with the amount of turns it took to open a can. The P-31 and its big brother the P-51 was designated with these numbers because of its size. The P-31 is 31mm long and the P-51 is 51mm long.