1959 is the date of introduction for pull-top beverage cans, with the 
detachable tab that people would shove into the can and promptly (try 
to) drink - especially a problem on beer cans. . .  Modern 
non-removable pull-tops date to about 1961, with Oregon being the 
first state to forbid the detachable style.  From memory, I don't 
recall pull-tabs on non-beverage cans until the late 1970s or early 
1980s, and they were scarce then.  I remember more common use dating 
to the late 80's.  I don't have a formal reference, however.  Until 
then it was the rotary can opener or the key-wind strip.

RCL

At 7/21/2008 05:04 PM, you wrote:
>Well that's what I would think.  Like on Vienna sausage cans, etc...all
>made during 'modern' times.  I didn't know non-aluminum pull tabs were
>even made.
>But...apparently so....even today...on Swanson's chicken broth cans...or
>so I'm told (a magnet sticks to them).
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
>Richard Wright
>Sent: Monday, July 21, 2008 4:46 PM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Ring-Pulls on Food Cans
>
>The page at
>
>http://web.mit.edu/invent/iow/fraze.html
>
>implies that your ring pull is more recent than 1959.
>
>Richard