The CleanteenA clean, heatable, water purifying canteen.

The CleanteenStandard Issue Civil War Canteen: The Cleanteen:

About the Cleanteen...The Cleanteen is a boilable, water purifying canteen. Two thirds of the soldiers that died in the Civil War died of disease, many of which were caused by hygiene issues and unclean water. This could have been solved with an invention similar to the Cleanteen, a container designated to both carry and boil water. This could’ve easily changed the outcome of the War, as it would’ve reduced the amount of soldiers who died during the war. Clean water could’ve been useful in many other ways, too, for example, surgery could have been greatly improved with clean water.

Cleanteen Manufacturing Process:

● Collect tin on the homefront (tin can drive)● Manufacturers melt down the tin and put it in a mold● When the metal cools in the mold, it creates the

canteen shape.● A leather strap is added to the top of the Cleanteen for

easier carrying● A leather removable wrap is added for easier handling

after boiling ● A pouch, also made out of leather, hooks onto the wrap

to hold tablets

The Cost of the Cleanteen:

The North:# of factories at the time: 110,000% of nation’s manufacturing workers and output: 92%The Cleanteen would have been much cheaper to manufacture in the North, as it had more people for the tin can drive, more factories and workers. It would not have been very expensive, as it could have been made in the same factories as the original canteen.

The South:# of factories at the time: 18,000% of nation’s manufacturing workers and output: 8%The Cleanteen would have been much more expensive to manufacture, as the South had less factories, less people, and less workers. That is why there are alternative options for water purification, such as tablets.

Water Purifying Tablets

This is another aspect of water purification● Made with bulrushes and citrus● This tablet reduces your chance of getting E.

Coli, Salmonella, and other diseases caused by bacteria.

● Combine with the Cleanteen for clean, safe water.

● Pouch on the Cleanteen holds the tablets.

Tablet Manufacturing Process:

1. Bulrushes and various citrus fruits are collected2. Bulrushes are dried and ground into a fine powder3. Citrus is juiced, juice is collected.4. Citrus is also dried and ground5. The citrus and bulrush powders are combined

thoroughly6. Citrus juice diluted with water.7. Combine liquid and powder, mix together8. Put in tablet mold and let dry.

The Cost of the Tablets:

The North:Percent of nation’s farm acreage: 65%Due to the statistics, it would appear to have been cheaper for the North to maufacture these as well. However, citrus is not as abundant in the North as it is in the South, which would make it harder to obtain it. A solution would’ve been to grt it from the Border States.

The South:Percent of nation’s farm acreage: 35%It would have been much easier and cheaper to manufacture the tablets in the South. The abundance of citrus in the South would have made this more convenient.

Why we chose the Cleanteen:

We chose the Cleanteen because…● it could make a difference● 620,000 people died in the Civil War● 66% of deaths were caused by disease,

which can be linked to unclean water.● Could have drastically changed the outcome

of the Civil War

Bibliography:

http://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/civil-war-technology http://www.civilwar.org/education/history/faq/ http://www.historynet.com/civil-war-soldiers