Why are aluminium soda cans typically round instead of square?

A cylindrical can combines the best qualities of a sphere and a cube. When packed in a box, cylinders take up about 90 percent of the available space, and their round shape is able to withstand a good amount of pressurization.

1. Why did Coca Cola change the shape of their cans?
2. When did the shape of soda cans change?
3. Why are beer cans shaped that way?

Why did Coca Cola change the shape of their cans?

The updated cans are supposed to “quickly communicate flavors and clearly distinguish between full-sugar and zero-sugar/calorie-free options,” she added. The company started overhauling its packaging last year, she noted, when it changed the packaging of Coke, Diet Coke and Coke Zero Sugar.

When did the shape of soda cans change?

1987 – Introduction of the 206 diameter cans for beverage soft drink cans (beer comes a year later). 1989 – Retained ring pull ends for the beverage industry are introduced. 1991 – Can ends are downsized 202 and 204 ends reduce the amount of metal required for the ends.

Why are beer cans shaped that way?

The cylindrical design marries the best parts of a sphere (no weak points in the structure) with the best parts of a rectangular block (less wasted space when you package the cans into a box).