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What\u2019s a word for a device that saves time and labor?\xa0 A timmynoggy!\xa0 Speaking of timmynoggys, I was hiking in Colorado and found some old cans near an abandoned logging camp.\xa0 The cans were so thick, I wondered how in the world did people open these back then? Early cans for storing vegetables were made of iron lined with tin and could be as thick as 3/16th of an inch.\xa0 A hammer and chisel wasn\u2019t just the informal way of opening them, it was the manufacturer\u2019s suggested method.

The first can opener was invented by Ezra J Warner who received a patent in 1858. Warner\u2019s can opener was a blade that cut into the can lid with a guard to prevent it from puncturing the can itself.\xa0 Though never a big hit with the public, Warner\u2019s can opener served the US Army during the Civil War and found a home in many grocery stores, where clerks would open cans for customers. What\u2019s a word for one who depends on others for food?\xa0 An opscheplooper!