canteen

The canteen has been a staple of any traveler. We use an updated version of them even today, while commuting with our coffee's or while completing our daily work-out at the gym. Canteens originally started as a either a hollowed out gourd or a bladder made from leather. After glass became a staple, they were transitioned into bottles since this medium rarely leaked. And again updated around the 1900's to tin or aluminum since they were easily manufactured, being that these metals were readily available at the start of the first World War. In the 1950's plastic became the most cost effective manufacturing process, and with that the canteen made it to modern civilization. Canteens were a not only a personal water source but were apart of many customs. When one traveler entered a town, canteens were often refilled as a symbol of kindness. While during the wars they were shared between rationing platoons as a symbol of brotherhood. As canteens are relics of decades past they are now collectable and come in a variety of shapes and colors. I like giving them as gifts in lieu of flasks.