While the esthetic of the first kerosene and gas cans is rather simple, a great concern for presentation emerged toward the end of the 19th century in the smaller capacity containers. Designed with particular care is the packaging for oil, for the containers had to convince the customer to spend more in comparison to the…

As soon as the automobile became an appreciable phenomenon, gasoline went into the cans as well the same ones used for kerosene, save for a change of color and label. Prior to the advent of the pumps, they were an efficacious means of refilling one’s gas tank. With their notable capacity (in Italy, twenty liters)…

The barrel was for many decades the standard container for petroleum and its derivatives; only at the beginning of this century was it joined and then replaced with the lighter and sturdier steel drum. They were both (forty-two and fifty-five American gallons respectively) ideal for transport and bulk marketing, less so for small quantity sales….