Thanks to this thread, I now know that Spam comes in Jalapeno variety. That actually sounds worth trying. Once.
I thought it was in case the label wore off you would be able to tell it was not dog food.
The benefits I can see for the shape of the Spam can are:
- The cans pack tighter together, so more content per storage space. That could be an important issue, if you’re shipping Spam out with the military, as I’ve been told was the big original user of Spam
- Lots of front label space. If your product is on a shelf, the Spam can shape makes it much easier to read and identify the label, vs. a round can.
- It doesn’t roll. I know my grandfather at Spam while in the Navy in WWII. Maybe the almost rectangular shape was a benefit on board ship, because it wasn’t going to roll away if the ship was swaying.
But my money is on #1 and #2. Takes up less space and easier to recognize the label/brand.
Holy crap!! There’s a meat slicer just for SPAM-like products.
Granted, those kind of cans stack nicely but are otherwise a PITA. You also can’t remove the bottom from the empty can, making it hard to flatten them for easier disposal or recycling.
I read somewhere that for many types of products, packaging is very specific and almost traditional. The consumer expects to find the product in that package, so the manufacturers put it in them.
The example given was that Teflon tape used in wrapping pipe threads. It’s supplied in those odd flat containers. When one company changed to another form of packaging, sales dropped off so much that they changed back.
Likewise, flaked tuna and chicken meat is in flat wide cans. Spaghetti sauce is in jars. And processed luncheon meats like spam and corned beef are in rectangular tapered cans.
Try feeding it to a dog, then you’ll know.
If he doesn’t eat it, it’s Spam.
Golf clap. Take one internet out of petty cash.
Its in my hurricane supply, so I eat a can once a year…to get rid of it. 
The key is there to open the can.
The can is there to hold in the Spam.
“Spam” - “Weird” Al Yankovic
It also makes it hard to cut off the bottom for moulding the rice for musubi. (I ended up buying a plastic form.)
Over here, I gather Spam is mainly used a bait for fish. For all things Spammy - go to http://www.spam-uk.com/
I never heard of those openers being called a @church key’ - always just an opener here. A boy scot belt buckle was perfect for removing crown caps (Was it designed that way?) but the pointy bit was essential for a Party Seven.
It’s good. Take my word for it. Yum.
Or, actually, don’t. I rather like SPAM in almost all its varieties*. So my judgement may be somewhat suspect. 
*Reduced-Sodium SPAM doesn’t really ring my bells. I guess I like salt.
Considering that the original SPAM (or really any commercial food) was designed to have just the right amount of salt to have the best taste, changing it in any way is bound to reduce its appeal.
Church keys –
Prior threads:
Church Keys Thread by (unknown user), started 06-25-1999.
Why is a can opener called a “church key”? Thread by Delila, started 02-28-2001.
Church Keys Thread by Zeldar, started 02-14-2007.
Do you know what a church key is? Thread by Ruby Slippers, started 07-28-2010.
See also: Why the switch from Pull Tabs on soda to those things that bend in? Thread by aceplace57, started 01-18-2012, where church keys are discussed here and there throughout the thread.
Now that we’re also talking about bottle openers, who knows what a Gilhoolie bottle opener is? Who has ever seen one? Or had one? Or used one?
When I was young, we had one of those.
See also The Gilhoolie.
Never seen one of those before, but you can tell it was invented by a dentist.
Which means… you totally went!
You should go to the various Moxie (soda pop) Museums! :eek: 