The bottle cap, which was known as the “Bottle Sealing Devise” was patented by William Painter on 2 February 1892 (U.S. Patent 468,258)
Let’s hear it for the Bottle Cap! Who patented the bottle cap opener and when?
Hip, hip, hooray! 
If you think about it that’s one invention that has really stood the test of time without any significant design modifications.
Except for the interior seal liner!
Now if they would only make the size universal.
Further embellished with the oxygen absorbing liner…
that would be the same William Painter. once he sealed the beer in the bottles, he damn well needed a way to get it out!!