Useless fact
What is the metal tab on a soda can called?
The metal pull tab that remains attached to a beverage can after opening is officially called a stay-on-tab.
In the early days of aluminum beverage cans, people opened them using a pull tab that detached completely from the can. These discarded metal tabs quickly became a major environmental hazard and litter nuisance, as they were sharp, frequently swallowed by children or pets, and littered beaches and parks. To solve this problem, an engineer named Daniel F. Cudzik, working for the Reynolds Metals Company, designed a non-detachable opening mechanism. Patented in 1975, his design allowed the user to push the tab to pierce the pre-scored lid while keeping the tab securely attached to the can. This revolutionary design, officially trademarked and known as the stay-on-tab, quickly replaced the old pull tabs worldwide. Today, billions of these tabs are produced annually, saving wildlife and reducing litter.
Why this is true — This is verified by the original 1975 patent US3967752A and historical museum records designating Daniel F. Cudzik as the inventor of the stay-on-tab.
Sources
- Easy open ecology end United States Patent and Trademark Office