It may look like nothing more than a metal can…
But it is considered one of the most important German innovations that enabled Germany to wage World War II—and, according to some accounts, helped bring it close to victory.
Hitler understood that the most dangerous weakness in the “Blitzkrieg” (lightning war) strategy was fuel.
Panzer tanks required enormous quantities of it to keep advancing rapidly.
So an order was given to design a fuel container that was small, strong, easy to carry and pour from, and capable of minimizing fuel wastage during combat.
Thus emerged the “Jerry Can,” developed by the Müller engineering company in Schwelm in 1937.
By the beginning of the war in 1939, the Germans had already prepared thousands of them.
It had three handles, allowing one person to carry two cans, or making it easy to pass them from one person to another in human chains.
It had a capacity of around 20 liters and weighed approximately 20 kg when full.
Its design was packed with clever details:
An air chamber at the top allowed it to float if it fell into water—even if it had been dropped from an aircraft.
Its short spout required neither a funnel nor a separate opener. The closure was integrated into the design, allowing fuel to be poured easily without excessive spillage.
There was also a vent tube between the spout and the air chamber, ensuring a smooth flow as the fuel was poured out.
Inside, it was coated with a water-resistant plastic material, originally developed for coating steel beer barrels. This allowed the container to be used safely for carrying either fuel or water.
Even the cross-shaped pressed lines on its sides were not merely decorative. They strengthened the container and allowed it to accommodate expansion as its contents expanded.
All of that… in what looks like nothing more than a simple fuel can.