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Erik Andreas ROTHEIM
1927 - The aerosol can is invented (Erik Rotheim, Norway)

"On November 23, 1927, Norwegian engineer Erik Rotheim (also spelled Eric Rotheim) patented the first aerosol can and valve that could hold and dispense products and propellant systems. This was the forerunner of the modern aerosol can and valve..." inventors.about.com


Erik Rotheim: The Inventor

Erik Rotheim was a Norwegian chemical engineer who had a keen interest in improving and innovating everyday products. Born on September 19, 1898, in Kristiania (now Oslo), Norway, Rotheim's education and professional background were firmly rooted in engineering and chemistry. His invention of the aerosol can was driven by a desire to find a more efficient way to apply liquids in a controlled manner.

The Invention of the Aerosol Can

The idea behind the aerosol can was to create a device that could dispense liquids in a fine mist, making it easier to apply evenly and in measured amounts. Rotheim's design involved a pressurized canister that could hold liquid and a propellant gas. When the valve on the can was pressed, the pressure would force the liquid out through a nozzle, creating a spray.

Rotheim filed for a patent for his invention in Norway on November 23, 1926, and it was granted on September 3, 1929. The key components of his design included:

The Canister: A sealed container that could withstand the internal pressure created by the propellant gas.

The Propellant: A gas that, when pressurized, could push the liquid out of the canister. Early propellants included carbon dioxide and other compressed gases.

The Valve and Nozzle: A mechanism to control the release of the liquid and convert it into a fine spray.



Learn more about the life of    Erik Andreas ROTHEIM.