Altoid tins were first used by the british SAS units. Their near universal distribution and association with this idea has made them the standard container. Eventually most people locate a larger unit. I have my Altoids, Swedish surplus aluminum boxes, BCB unit and tobacco tin. Chris Janowski of WSI markets his kits in round containers. Containers go back a long way ; back there with knives and fire, the first mimicked copy of a cave or natural brush shelter, the ones carried by Oetzi.I like them all, provided my mind isn't taped into one.