Read the text and answer the questions.
Millions of years ago, people hunted for food and ate it immediately. But they soon realized they could keep their food for longer if they protected it. So, the world's first food containers were made from animal skins and large leaves. Water was kept in coconut shells and dried vegetable skins.
Metal containers, or cans, were invented in 1810 by a French chef called Monsieur Appert. The Emperor Napoleon offered a prize to anyone who could find a way of keeping food safe for soldiers in battle. That award was won by Appert.
His invention preserved food beautifully, but those first cans were made of iron, so they were incredibly heavy. But carrying them wasn’t the only problem, opening them was almost impossible! Some cans even had instructions to open them with a hammer and a knife. Soldiers usually shot them open with their guns.
At the beginning of the 1800s, cans were made by hand. By the end of the 1800s, cans were produced by machine and made from a lighter metal so they were easier to carry. But the problem of getting into the cans lasted much longer. Several can openers were invented, but they were all difficult to use and you could cut your fingers very badly. The safe modern tin opener the sort with two rolling wheels and a turning key wasn't invented until 1925.