Many low power amateur radio projects, both in kit form and home made, have been designed to fit in an Altoids tin.

He asked her about her oboe reeds, and she pulled out an Altoids tin.

Altoids tins have also been popular with outdoor enthusiasts for many years as first-aid or mini survival kit containers.

Yet, Altoids tins have a singular place in modern culture, a place that lends itself to infinite utility.

"People put a lot of interesting stuff in Altoids tins," Ms. Fried said.

"Altoids tins were originally used for shortwave radios," he said.

Anybody who likes their breath fresh or who likes cool industrial design has an Altoids tin.

He collected Altoids tins for years, he said, and created a version of the speakers when he was 14.

But, hey, it fits in an Altoids tin.

He manufactured a small tin to hold the mints, similar to the modern Altoids tins.