Who designed the jerry can? Will it ever be bettered?

The jerry can was a piece of German Army equipment that the Eighth Army first met when the Afrika Korps arrived in Libya in early 1942. The 8th Army saw how good they were and “liberated” them whenever possible. Someone in authority had the good sense to put an exact copy into production in the UK. Previously all our petrol came up in flimsy two-gallon tins packed in twos within a light wooden frame. You could always recognise a truck carrying petrol because it was leaking in all directions — only a modest amount actually reached the forward areas.

Oliver Perks, Wrington, N. Somerset

According to Charles Darwin, we have evolved from primates. Are we the end product and, if not, what are we going to evolve into?

It is not possible to predict the course of evolution. However, there are trends, such as a trend towards smaller jaws and fewer teeth, as mankind eats softer, cooked food, instead of chewing bone and gristle.

Martin Hasseck, London

Don’t smoke, don’t drink alcohol, eat five a day and take regular exercise and then you could possibly live long enough to find the answer.

Peter Rushforth, Cullingworth, W. Yorks

“As American as apple pie.” Is apple pie really an American invention?

The earliest recipe I have for it (Tartres de pommes) comes from Le Viandier, recipes by Taillevent (c. 1312-95), though Le Viandier wasn’t published until 1490.

Felicity Trotman, Chicklade, Salisbury

Are there any vegetarian snakes?