Antique Bottle Openers

After the first effective bottle cap was patented in the 1890s, people began designing devices to get them open, including wall-mounted and figural openers, and the 'church key,' a triangle-tipped opener. Beer companies soon realized that bottle openers could be good advertising, and began putting their brands on them. Many early openers were made in interesting shapes, designed for example to resemble horses, automobiles, mermaids or women.