Why Pringles Come in a Can: The Crunchy Truth

I thought everyone knew why Pringles come in a can, but apparently not. Then again, a lot of people weren’t even around when Pringles first hit the shelves. Here’s the thing: regular potato chips are just thinly sliced potatoes fried until they’re crispy enough to shatter if you breathe on them. Pringles, on the other hand, are not your average spuds. They’re made from a potato-based dough, not slices. Think of it as mashed potatoes that went to engineering school. About 42% of that dough is dehydrated potato flakes, while the rest is a mysterious mix of starches, oils, and dreams of perfect stackability.

That famous can isn’t just for show. It’s the unsung hero of snack packaging. The shape keeps those uniform little crisps from crumbling into sadness before they reach your mouth. You can toss that tube into a backpack, roll it down a hill, or even mail it across the country, and you’ll still open it to find a perfect stack of edible geometry.

Speaking of geometry, that elegant curve of each chip isn’t random. It’s called a hyperbolic paraboloid, which sounds like something you’d fail in high school math. The shape helps distribute weight evenly so they don’t break. Basically, it’s a snack designed by scientists with too much time and too many potatoes.

In the 1970s, the FDA got picky about labels and told Pringles they couldn’t just call themselves “potato chips,” since they weren’t exactly chips. So, Pringles decided to be fancy and started calling themselves “potato crisps.” Because nothing says “I’m special” like inventing your own snack category.

Here’s the best part: the inventor of the can, Fredric Baur, loved it so much that when he passed away, his family honored his wish to have part of his ashes buried in a Pringles can. Talk about commitment to your work.

And that iconic mustachioed man on the can? His name is Julius Pringles, and his story is just as entertaining. The name began as a college prank in 2006 when a few students made up “Julius Pringles” online as a joke. It spread like wildfire, and by 2013, the company officially adopted the name. Now Julius stares at you every time you pop open a can, silently judging how fast you’ll eat the entire stack.

So why do Pringles come in a can? Because they’re too perfectly engineered to trust with a flimsy bag. Besides, it’s the only snack container you can later use as a musical instrument, a pencil holder, or, if you’re feeling especially creative, a telescope for snack lovers.

Clever and Funny Ways to Reuse Pringles Cans

Empty Pringles can? Don’t toss it, turn it into something useful, fun, or just plain weird.

Storage and Organization
Use it as a plastic bag dispenser or a craft supply holder for pencils, twine, or paintbrushes. Cover one with fabric to make a gift wrap holder, or clean it out and use it as a cookie container. It even works as a cable organizer to tame those messy cords.

Decor and Crafts
Transform a can into a vase, or make quirky Pringles Can People with paint and buttons. During the holidays, use them for Christmas crafts, or build a kaleidoscope for kids. You can even make a candle holder for cozy décor.

Games and Fun
Set up bowling pins, create a mini drum kit, or tape two cans together for toy binoculars. They also make great props for simple science projects.

Other Creative Ideas
Turn a can into a DIY flashlight, bake bread in it for perfectly round loaves, or build a macro diffuser for photography.