Today’s Kids Have Never Seen This Forgotten Device

You would use the church key on one side of the can. It had a small lip to grip the side, and the pointed end would forcibly jab a large hole into the lid.

However, if you tried to pour out the juice at this point, you’d face difficulties. That’s why the same church key would come to the rescue again to make a smaller hole on the opposite side, letting air in so the liquid could flow smoothly.

We aren’t sure where the term ‘church key’ originated. Some suggest it might be because it was used to open alcoholic beverage bottles, which were highly valued during the Prohibition era.

Even earlier than that, aging beer in monasteries was locked away, and the church key was the only way to access those precious brews.

While the name ‘church key’ remains a bit of a mystery, its purpose is clear. It’s a tool that isn’t used much these days but is still quite handy to have around.