Why is a gas can called a jerry can? During the Second World War, Jerry cans were used to store extra gasoline for German vehicles. Jerry was what the allied soldiers dubbed their German counterparts, and as a result of their German heritage, Jerry cans.
Why is it called a jerry can?
During the Second World War, a popular slang term for Germans was “jerry.” As the name would imply, it was the Germans who designed the first jerry can. The Germans had first needed a convenient way to transport fuel during the Spanish Civil War in 1936. A rudimentary jerry can was formed to meet this need.
How many gallons of fuel is in a jerry can?
A single standard US 2.5 ton truck could carry 875 US gallons (3,310 l) of fuel loaded in jerrycans. US logisticians requested over 1.3 million per month to replace losses; these cans were provided by US and British manufacturers, but supply could not keep up with demand.
What is a jerrycan made of?
A jerrycan (also written as jerry can or jerrican) is a robust liquid container made from pressed steel (and more recently, high density polyethylene ). It was designed in Germany in the 1930s for military use to hold 20 litres (4.4 imp gal; 5.3 US gal) of fuel.
Are jerrycans still used today?
After widespread use by both Germany and the Allies during the Second World War, today similar designs are used worldwide for fuel and water containers, some of which are also produced in plastic. The designs usually emulate the original steel design and are still known as jerrycans.
What is the difference between a jerry can and a gas can?
The term 'jerry can' is often used outside of the US to refer to a gas can, while a safety can is a specific kind of high-safety fuel container. All gasoline containers are painted red and are made from metal or plastic with a varying amount of built-in safety features.
Is a gas can called a jerry can?
Jerrycan definition A jerrycan (also written as jerry can or jerrican) was originally a robust fuel container made from pressed steel.
What does jerry can mean?
jerry can. noun. a flat-sided can with a capacity of between 4.5 and 5 gallons used for storing or transporting liquids, esp motor fuel: originally a German design adopted by the British Army during World War II.
What did Germans call the jerry can?
Wehrmacht-EinheitskanisterJerry cans were originally called Wehrmacht-Einheitskanister (which roughly translates as an armed forces unit canister) and were first made in 1930's Germany. They were needed to carry large amounts of fuel to the army vehicles, without the need for tools and funnels.
Where did the name jerry can originate?
The jerrycan ("Wehrmachtkanister" in German) was originally designed using steel, for use by the German army, to transport 20 liters of fuel for military purposes. The name jerrycan was contrived by British soldiers during World War II, using the derogatory nickname they used for Germans, "Jerry."
How long does fuel last in a jerry can?
How long does fuel last in a jerry can? When using the right fuel container, petrol can last up to one year, so long as the jerry can remains properly sealed. At 20˚ Celsius, fuel in a container with a broken seal lasts six months; at 30˚ Celsius, it lasts three months.
What is another name for jerry can?
What is another word for jerry can?canistercontainercantincannistercannikinbarrelpackagedrumbottle42 more rows
Can you carry a jerry can in your car?
Yes, it is legal. However, some filling stations may have their own local rules about filling portable fuel cans. These rules may cover the size and number of cans that are allowed to be filled.
Is it jerry can or cherry can?
The name jerry can is sometimes written as jerrycan or jerrican (and sometimes, very incorrectly, as cherry can). Like the container itself, the name has its origins in World War II.
What do jerry can colors mean?
Red=Gasoline. Yellow=Diesel. White= Drinking water. Blue=Jet Fuel (Helicopter and M-1 JP4) Army Green= Fresh lake or stream water (Not for Drinking)
What Colour were German jerry cans?
dark greenBritish cans of WW II vintage will be painted with the khaki or tan sand color of British equipment while the German cans will be dark green or sand color. Water cans were sometimes painted with a white cross as an additional precaution against mixing.
How do you pour gas from a jerry can?
1:343:01How to use a Scepter gas can - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPosition there will be a click when the collar is rotated far enough next i'll place the small notchMorePosition there will be a click when the collar is rotated far enough next i'll place the small notch tab on the spout against the lip of the gas tank. And depress the spout.
What is another name for jerry can?
What is another word for jerry can?canistercontainercantincannistercannikinbarrelpackagedrumbottle42 more rows
Is it cherry or jerry can?
The name jerry can is sometimes written as jerrycan or jerrican (and sometimes, very incorrectly, as cherry can). Like the container itself, the name has its origins in World War II.
Do jerry cans have to be red?
Red safety cans indicate gasoline or flammable liquids. OSHA specifies that flammable liquids with a flash point below 80 F (27 C) must be stored in a red can with a yellow band. Industry standards specify colors for other flammable liquids, similar to the color conventions for flammable safety cabinets.
Why do jerry cans have 3 handles?
“It was flat-sided and rectangular in shape, consisting of two halves welded together as in a typical automobile gasoline tank. It had three handles, enabling one man to carry two cans and pass one to another man in bucket-brigade fashion.
Why Is It Called a Jerry Can?
Like the container itself, the name has its origins in World War II.
What is a jerry can?
A jerry can is a 5.3 gallon (or 20 liter) fluid container that is narrow and flat-sided. Red versions are typically filled with gasoline, and you can find them in almost any garage. If you’re familiar with the off-roading world, you’ve likely seen jerry cans in the back of many a Jeep. Some bumpers even include a jerry holder as a desirable feature.
What are jerry cans made of?
Some manufacturers, like Rugged Ridge, still make jerry cans out of stamped steel. Many of the design features on these modern jerry cans clearly trace their origins back to the original. The three-handled design was a necessity for soldiers carrying four empties at a time, and the traditional “X” design feature is still visible on the sides.
How many cans did the first jerry can carry?
Most notably, they were small. Thanks to the size and the unusual triple-handle, soldiers could carry two full cans or four empties. They also had a large spout and flip top closure.
Why are jerry cans distinctive?
The American jerry cans are distinctive because instead of a pattern of indentations, one central X ensures even distribution of pressure. The British copy has a slightly stranger pattern, with a cross-like indentation that has curved arms.
Why are fuel containers called flimsies?
The design of the British fuel containers was so poor that they earned the name “Flimsies.” They were usually only used once before being discarded, making transporting fuel prohibitively expensive.
When did the Germans first need a convenient way to transport fuel?
The Germans had first needed a convenient way to transport fuel during the Spanish Civil War in 1936. A rudimentary jerry can was formed to meet this need. In 1937, Wehrmacht Einheitskanister, an engineering firm, tried to produce their own version.
Overview
History
The name of the jerrycan refers to its German origins, Jerry being slang for Germans. The design was reverse engineered and subsequently copied, with minor modifications, by the Allies during the Second World War.
The Wehrmacht-Einheitskanister, as it was known in Germany, was first developed in 1937 by the Müller engineering firm in Schwelm to a design by the…
Design
Jerrycans typically have a rounded rectangular cross section with package handles. Most have three handles: a center handle for one person carrying a lightweight can, two handles for a person lifting a full can, or two handles for two people to carry. The configuration of the three handles allows two empty jerrycans to be carried in one hand.
Modern use
The German design jerrycan is still a standard container for fuel and other liquids in the armies of the NATO countries.
Finnish designer Eero Rislakki designed a plastic jerrycan in 1970 with a small screwable stopper on the top side behind the handle to allow air flowing in to ensure smooth fuel outflow. It is lighter than the original design yet almost as s…
Current regulations
In the United States, the jerrycan is defined by the Code of Federal Regulation, 49 CFR 171.8 as "a metal or plastic packaging of rectangular or polygonal cross-section". As of 10 January 2009 all portable fuel containers are required to conform to two new regulations:
1. They must meet new federal Mobile Source Air Toxics regulations, based on the California Air Resources Board's regulations.
External links
• "Jerry Cans". Olive-Drab. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021.
• "Wehrmachtskanister". WeCoWi (in German). Archived from the original on 27 December 2008.
• Noe, Rain (4 November 2010). "The Wehrmachtkanister, a/k/a Jerrycan: Astonishingly good industrial design from the 1930s". Core77.
Why Is It called A Jerry can?
First Jerry Can Design
- There are a few notable engineering features of the first jerry cans. Most notably, they were small. Thanks to the size and the unusual triple-handle, soldiers could carry two full cans or four empties. They also had a large spout and flip top closure. These features meant soldiers could fill and empty jerry cans without the use of a funnel or other secondary equipment. You could even …
Copying Designs
- The Germans were unlikely to share their engineering developments with either the British or Americans considering they were at war with both countries. But as German troops were captured and their jerry cans seized, the Americans and British both ended up with a sizable supply. Using these, both countries were able to reverse engineer jerry cans of their own. The American jerry c…
Modern Jerry Cans
- The jerry can is still in use today, though you’re much more likely to find plastic designs rather than metal ones. The plastic jerry can gained popularity starting in 1970. It’s almost as strong and significantly lighter. Some manufacturers, like Rugged Ridge, still make jerry cans out of stamped steel. Many of the design features on these modern jerry cans clearly trace their origins back to t…