What is the difference between tinfoil and aluminum foil?

Tinfoil is made from sheets of tin, and aluminium foil is made from sheets of aluminium. Aluminium foil was first used in the middle of the 20th century and replaced tinfoil because the aluminium foil was cheaper and more durable.

Tinfoil was first used by Thomas Edison in the 19th century. During the 20th century, tinfoil was used for wrapping foods and medicines, which is the same way that aluminium foil is used. Aluminium foil is made by rolling sheets of aluminium through steel rollers until the sheets are very thin. In some areas, the terms aluminum foil and tinfoil are used interchangeably.