Jerrycan: The history of the iconic military fuel container

The jerrycan, a rectangular metal container with three handles and reinforced ridges, has a significant history in logistics. It is a direct descendant of the German Wehrmacht-Einheitskanister, which was developed in the late 1930s for the German armed forces.

Designed for both fuel and water, these containers utilized specific markings and colors to indicate contents. Fuel canisters were marked ‘Kraftstoff 20 L’ and ‘Feuergefährlich’ to warn of fire hazards, while water containers were marked ‘Wasser 20 L’ and often featured a large white cross. Colors varied from grey-green to sand depending on the military application.

The development of the modern jerrycan dates back to 1936, when Schwelmer Eisenwerk Müller & Co. in Westphalia produced the design with the help of engineer Vinzenz Grünvogel. Following military testing of approximately 5,000 units, the design was officially adopted on July 8, 1937.