A mixer is a kitchen utensil which uses a gear-driven mechanism to rotate a set of beaters in a bowl containing the food to be prepared. It automates the repetitive tasks of stirring, whisking or beating. Mixers for the kitchen first came into use midway through the nineteenth century; the earliest were mechanical devices. The mixer with rotating parts was patented in 1856 by Ralph Collier a tinsmith in Baltimore, Maryland .This was followed by E.P. Griffith's whisk patented in England in 1857. A circular tin used for mixing batters. The 2 beaters are of wire, with metal gears, suspended from a metal strip that fits over the tin bowl. and is clamped into place by a metal screw . A crank handle with a wooden black knob attached by a screw is turned by hand to mix the batter in the base. This tin could be secured to a table by a clamp and screw. cooking, kitchen equipment, dairy, cakes, housework, early settlers, pioneers, baking, nutrition, blacksmiths, market gardeners, cake mixers, moorabbin, cheltenham, bentleigh, brighton

The VONO Knife Cleaner was commonly used in households and professional kitchens during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was designed to quickly clean and polish knife blades without excessive manual effort, making it an essential tool before the widespread use of stainless steel cutlery. VONO was a British company known for manufacturing kitchen and household mechanical appliances, including knife cleaners and polishers. Today, antique knife cleaners like this are rare and highly collectible, often displayed in museums or vintage kitchen collections.This is a VONO No. 2 Knife Cleaner, a mechanical hand-operated device used for cleaning and polishing knives. The device has a circular cast-iron body with a rotating internal mechanism, activated by a metal crank handle with a wooden grip. The surface is painted green, though signs of wear and aging are visible. The top plate is embossed with instructions and branding.The top plate is embossed with the following text: "TRIUMPH VONO No. 2 KNIFE CLEANER" "PATENT RED No. 3256" "BRITISH MADE" "PUT KNIFE UNDER ABRASIVE WITH BACK TO SPINDLE"household item, vono, knife cleaner, knife, utensil, kitchen

Scythes were used to manually mow wheat or grass. Scythes were used with a long sweeping movement which made them much less tiring for labourers to use than reaping hooks or sickles though they still involved great physical labour and considerable skill to perfect. Both hands were in use and the operator did not have to bend his back to reach down to the crop. On farms scythes were sharpened on a sandstone wheel mounted on an axle with a crank handle on one side. This was hand powered and used with water. Scythes were not used as often on farms after the mechanisation of harvesting. They were still used for cutting awkward shaped small plots and for opening a path for the tractors. This item is an example of a tool used by the early settlers of the Orbost district. An iron scythe blade, curved and tapered. There is no handle and the blade is rusted and pitted."ROSE"scythe tool agriculture rural

Sewing machine, Singer, hand operated by crank handle, rounded wood case with lock on one side. Machine has hinges at back and recessed accessory compartment containing pins and needles. Machine has shuttle bobbin. Singer Trade Marks gold transfers on lid and machine, with Singer badge on front of machine. Serial Number "F1841984" on front right. Serial Number "F1841984" on front rightflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, sewing machine, singer, singer sewing machine, dressmaker, taylor, domestic machines

This machine was made in Baden, Germany, for the Ward Brothers of Melbourne, who imported machines from various manufacturers and had them branded with their Ward Brothers decals. This machine is most likely dated after 1911, when the Ward Brothers became two separate businesses, as there are only remnants of two portrait decals on the machine bed. There is a fitted embedded ruler in the wood of the base. Many sewing machine manufacturers in Germany produced their machines specifically for export. A company could mass-produce its machines and give the same product several different brand names, according to their overseas buyers. There was a huge market for domestic machines as it enabled tailored clothing to be made in households at a fraction of the retail prices. Ward Brothers began in Australia in the late 1890s and early sewing machines sold by them had the three brothers on their decals. In 1911 the brothers divided into two separate firms, one operating on his own, the other two remaining together, and all still operating in Melbourne and at first still using the name Ward Brothers.This sewing machine is one of two hand-operated Ward Brothers machines in our collection that were made in Baden, Germany, and the only one that has the two Ward Brothers on its decal and that has side to side slide plates. This machine represents the early domestic market for sewing machines, making it possible for the everyday homemaker to produce fashionable garments and linen ware that was affordable. The owner of this machine could work at more than one location as it was portable and did not require a large space to set up. The machine is associated with the well-known Ward Brothers of Melbourne, who sold imported sewing machines that were branded with their own name.Sewing machine with case. The black-painted metal machine is hand-operated and the crank handle is wooden. The machine is on a wooden base and has a box included that contains many machine accessories. Made in Baden, Gemnamy, for Ward Brothers of Melbourne. There is an attached metal plate on the front with rows of groups of numbers on it. The wooden bed has an embedded ruler. The machine had decals with geometric designs and the maker's name.Printed in script: "Specially made in Baden / by Ward Broth Melbourne"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, sewing machine, hand operated, domestic sewing, homemade clothing, fashion, ward brothers, made in germany, baden, front and rear slide plates, post wwi, post 1911

Each of the five telephones is attached to a timber, wall‐mounted box. They are original to the precinct buildings and date from the early twentieth century. Located in the lighthouse lantern room, the former head keeper’s quarters, the former assistants’ quarters, and the buildings known today as the generator shed and the café, they formed an intercom system that facilitated communication between the lightstation buildings.Wall‐mounted Bakelite telephones with crank handles can be found at all six light stations, however Gabo Island has the only other example of a timber‐mounted phone. Its design is slightly different for incorporating an inclined surface for jotting down notes. As fixtures, the telephones are considered to be part of the building fabric and included in the Victorian Heritage Register listing for the Cape Nelson Lightstation (H1773; 18 February 1999). They are historically significant for their historical and technical values as part of the early communications system used at the lightstation.Five similar intercom system telephones. All are wall mounted timber boxes with Bakelite black hand sets and black cords. The five phones each have two bells at the top of the box and a crank handle at the side. Three phones have brass bells, two have black metal bells. All phones have instructions on the front either in a frame or glued to the timber."C of A" and "PMG" Written instructions on how to use the phones are printed on paper fixed to the front of the telephones. "TO CALL ....../ TO ANSWER...../ WHEN FINISHED....."

Lathe potato peeler, hand-cranked with a wooden handle.potato peelers

It is thought that this item may have been made for use at the Ballarat School of Mines. The use is unknown. At one time it was thought to have something to do with lens-making, but this is no longer thought to be the case. A photograph of this item has the catalogue number 01002.A mechanism made of cast brass mounted onto a second hand timber base board. Two horizontal coaxial shafts, each ending with a hemispherical cup, facing each other. The right hand shaft is fitted with a crank handle. The diameter of the two brass domes is 6 cm. The space between the two brass domes from spindle to spindle is 7 cm. Only one dome turns, the one attached to the handle. Brass plate on second handtimber base board "J. Sturrock, Dundee. Patentee. Wholesale Agents Jeffries & Co. Woolwich and London." ballarat school of mines, scientific equipment, scientific objects, j. sturrock

Photographs, Black and White, of the MMTB bus 45? - large Garford Chassis - .1 - Front on view showing the radiator, head lights and other details including the crank handle - shows the destination of Brighton Rd. Registration Number 68945. .2 - Side on view of the bus showing the lettering, logo, doorways and destination "via High St". Photos Print and photograph by Sutcliffe of Cromwell buildings 366a Bourke St. Melbourne.In ink on the rear: .1 - "M&MTB Garford Bus No. 45 - late 1920's". .2 - "MMTB Large Garford Bus (Probably No. 45), Late 1920's and in pencil "Large Garford" KSK print numbers SA955 and SA956.trams, tramways, mmtb, buses, brighton rd, garford, tram 7

Cast iron coconut grater, hand-cranked with a wooden handle.fruit graters

Set of two Photographs, Black and White, of the MMTB bus 7 - Tilling Stevens, petrol electric bus. .1 - Front on view showing the radiator, head lights and other details including the crank handle - shows the destination of Elsternwick via High St. Registration Number 68907. .2 - Side on view of the bus showing the lettering, logo, doorways and destination. Photos Print and photograph by Sutcliffe of Cromwell buildings 366a Bourke St. Melbourne.In ink on the rear: .1 - "M&MTB Tilling Stevens, Petrol Electric Bus No. 7, late 1920's. .2 - as above plus "33 seats" KSK print numbers SA951 and SA952.trams, tramways, mmtb, buses, elsternwick, tilling stevens, tram 7

Hand drill metal 3 wooden handles crank missing 310mmL x 145mmW. One handle greenflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

Brace metal with barber chuck, metal crank, wooden head and handle.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, brace

Manufactured by John Harper & Co.Metallic mincer with clamp and wooden handle on crank. Includes four attachments.Labelled 'No.1 Beatrice'. Attachment labelled 'Beatrice No.4 Very Fine'.

Hand-crank coffee grinders were widely used before the advent of electric grinders. This style was commonly used in homes, small cafés, and general stores. Grinding mechanism: The beans were poured into the hopper, then manually ground by turning the crank, which would produce ground coffee collected at the bottom. Such grinders were also sometimes repurposed for grinding spices or grains.A manual cast iron coffee grinder, painted off-white, with visible chipping and rust spots. Features a large hopper (bowl-shaped) at the top, designed to hold coffee beans before grinding. The main grinding mechanism is housed in a rounded central body, secured with a latch that allows access to the internal burrs for cleaning. A hand-crank handle extends from the side, with a wrapped grip for easier operation. The base is wide and flat, designed for mounting onto a surface or table.coffee, grinder, kitchen, household item

In 1890 D. Babcock invented a test for measuring the amount of butter fat in milk, either on the farm or in the dairy or creamery. Samples of milk were put in the glass vial and then spun (by cranking the handle) causing the cream to separate from the non-fat milk thus determining the percentage of cream in the milk. The product was then priced accordingly.Dairy farming in the Kiewa Valley was the main industry with farmers keen to test the quality of their milk before selling it. This centrifuge enabled them to test the amount of milk and cream being produced by their herd. This '1903 Butter Fat Tester' made 100 turns per minute. Early hand crank centrifuge for measuring the butterfat content of milk in the farm dairy or creamery. It has 4 brass / copper removable canisters with glass vials and tubes that fit inside. The glass vials bulge at the bottom and are marked with measurements 1, 2 etc.Numbers on the glass vialsmilk and cream tester, dairy farming, centrifuge

Megger as the device was called, is in fact its brand name. It is a device that supplies a DC (direct current as per car batteries) voltage to enable testing of electrical apparatus. This particular device produces 250volts DC when the handle is turned vigorously. If an electrical device, such as a kettle or toaster, blew a fuse or tripped a circuit breaker, when switched on, then it must be checked electrically before any more use. Following the repair of the faulty item a megger would be used to check if either of the AC 240volt plugs leads were touching the metal case (earth). The output leads of the megger would be connected with one to the earth (metal case) and the other to each of the power connections in turn. A good megger reading of 50,000 ohms (resistance) would enable the device to be returned to service. A reading of zero ohms resistance would mean that it would again blow a fuse, and was therefore unsafe to use. In the electrical industry e.g. the former State Electricity Commission, a megger would be used to test lots of similar item in sequence. Because of the vigorous job of winding the handle, two persons were often used to save time. One would crank madly whilst the other shifted the leads. This particular megger is of a small voltage, but other meggers are bigger and have a few ranges of DC voltages able to be selected. The optimal megger for large Generating machines was motor driven megger. This was applied to the device being tested for a duration of approximately 30 minutes with reading of the resistance taken at regular intervals.All equipment belonging to the State Electricity Commission of Victoria was labelled with a metal plaque attached to it. The SECV constructed the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme in the Upper Kiewa Valley and on the Bogong High Plains. The scheme began in 1938 and finished in 1961 when this megger was used and also possibly later as the SECV remained to maintain and operate the Scheme. This megger is of significance in relation to the advancement of technology.A rectangular box in dark brown bakerlite casing. It has an agent's plaque fixed to the left of the face and on the right is the marker's recessed stamp. In the middle in a transparent window so the level of ohms can be read. The front also has two recessed fixing knobs in black. On one side is a crank handle with a knob that lifts up and is turned vigorously to create the voltage. The back has four recessed screws and four small leather pads. There is a hole on each side to insert wires. There are two copper insulated wires. The SECV Plaque states: State/Electricity Commission/of/Victoria/ Electrical Engineer's Section/ No.1747 The Agent's Plaque states: H. Rowe & Co. Pty Ltd/Melbourne & Sydney/Sole Agents/in Australia for/Evershed & Vignoles Ltd Maker's states: 500 volts/Megger/Regd Trade Mark/Made in England/Patent No/400728electrical meters, electrical equipment, fuses, safety, state electricity commission of victoria, mt beauty, bogong village

Set of four Photographs, Black and White, of the MMTB Tourist Bus late 1920's. .1 - Side on view of the MMTB Tourist bus showing the lettering and logo. .2 - Front on view showing the radiator, head lights and other details including the crank handle. .3 - Interior view looking along the bus from the front. Shows the curtains and the extensively upholstered seats. .4 - ditto showing the woven cane seats. Photos Print and photograph by Sutcliffe of Cromwell buildings 366a Bourke St. Melbourne.In ink on the rear: All "M&MTB Tourist bus late 1920's" and the photographers stamp, with .3 and .4 adding "Interior" KSK print number SA957 to 960trams, tramways, mmtb, tourist bus, buses, interiors

Box wooden containing a magneto electric machine cranked by metal handle which assists nervous and other diseases including rheumatism.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, magneto electric machine

Milk separators like this one were used on farms and dairies from the late 19th century into the mid-20th century. They enabled small-scale producers to efficiently separate cream from whole milk shortly after milking. Robinson & Co. was a prominent manufacturer of dairy and agricultural equipment in Australia and the UK. This model is likely from the early 20th century and would have been a key piece of equipment on a mixed farm or small dairy operation. Its manual crank operation suggests it predates widespread electrification. Val WEBB's families. The OLIVER's from Grass Flat. Used it for the family to separate skim milk from cream.A cast metal tabletop milk separator, manufactured by Robinson & Co., featuring a large cylindrical cream bowl mounted above a hand-operated centrifuge unit. The separator is supported by a heavy three-legged base, one of which is wide and flattened for stability. A spout and crank handle are attached at the mid-section, used to turn the internal drum and separate cream from milk by centrifugal force. The entire unit shows considerable wear, with patches of original green and red paint still visible on the upper housing and extensive rust and corrosion on exposed metal parts."Robinson & co Agricultural Implement Makers Spotswood, VIC"

This item is a magneto wall telephone, common in Australia from the 1890s to the 1930s, particularly in rural homes, post offices, and businesses. The user would turn the side crank to generate a signal to ring the local exchange or another subscriber. The mouthpiece was fixed to the unit, and the receiver would have been held to the ear while speaking. These phones were part of early manual switchboard networks, often serviced by local telephone operators. This example is representative of early communication technology in regional Victoria, possibly used in Natimuk or surrounding areas before the advent of automatic telephone exchanges.A wall-mounted wooden telephone, characteristic of early 20th-century manual telephone systems. The upper section features two prominent metal bells for the ringer, with a receiver hook and a rotary or crank handle on the side for generating signal current. The centre has a mouthpiece (transmitter) fixed in place, and the lower portion contains a hinged writing or message shelf with a key lock, likely housing the internal components or a compartment for note-taking or message slips. The body is made of stained timber with carved decorative elements at the top, including a small finial or crest. The piece exhibits wear consistent with age and use.communication, telephone, exchange, party line

This manual coffee grinder likely dates from the late 19th to early 20th century, a period when household coffee grinding was common before pre-ground coffee became widespread. Made in Wolverhampton, an industrial hub in England known for metal goods and domestic wares, this type of grinder was exported to colonies and used in rural households across Australia. It would have been a key kitchen tool for ensuring fresh coffee and reflects both domestic routines and international trade in manufactured goods of the era.A vintage tabletop manual coffee grinder, manufactured in Wolverhampton, England. The grinder features a square wooden base housing a drawer for collecting ground coffee, topped by a metal grinding mechanism. At the top sits a ceramic or enamelled bowl-shaped hopper (white interior, rusted rim), used to hold coffee beans. A central vertical shaft connects to a large, curved cast iron crank handle with a turned wooden grip (now missing or replaced). The grinder shows significant wear, rust, and patina from age and use, especially on the iron components. A circular maker's badge or emblem is present on the front face, partially obscured by age and corrosion."MANUFACTURERS Wolverhampton"household item, coffee, kitchen, grinding

Sewing machine, portable, hand operated, with Premier logo. Has folding crank handle, body painted black with floral design, wooden base and separate wooden cover with lock. Base has compartment with accessories, covered by curved ended, sliding wooden panel. Decorative linework on side, carvings on each corner. Wooden handle on cover is carved in rings, folds down. Below handle is decorative inlaid pattern. Serial number on plate at back of machine. Accessories include 13 attachments, key (broken), screwdriver, sewing machine needle, razor blades (2) and buttons. Attached to inside of case is a square of paper with a number on it. Instruction book for Singer Sewing Machines is included. Also with machine are white tailor's chalk and a cut out, fabric pocket with tissue paper pattern pinned to it.Serial number "579200" is stamped into plate at back of machine. Brand on transfer on front of machine is "Premier". Paper inside case has hand written number "334A". Instruction book "Instructions for using Singer Sewing Machines No. 66 - Oscillating hook for family use" flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, sewing machine, permier sewing machine, hand operated sewing machine, dressmaker, fasion, singer no. 66 manual, textile, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, sewing machine, permier sewing machine, hand operated sewing machine, dressmaker, fasion, singer no. 66 manual, textile

Wooden with cast iron gearing components and round butter worker is hand operated. The rotary butter worker has a round tray carved from wood. Protruding upwards from the centre of the tray is a column with arched top. The column has a small square outlet on one side near the base that provides for excess buttermilk to be drained away. Around the circumference of the butter worker protruding outwards from the sides is a thick cast-iron track. The wooden paddle has a unique curved shape that has a wave appearance. It has a slight arch which forces the butter to remain in the tray and to direct any excess buttermilk to the centre. Through the wooden paddle is an iron rod connected to a crank handle. By turning the handle the rod rotates a gear system that leads the table to rotate on the metal track.Side: CHERRY'S PATENT NO. 1 GISBORNE VICTORIA 4407 Etched into upper arm of wooden frame.cherry's patent, bubb family, evans family

Gramophone, Edison, in wooden cabinet with hinged lid. Front has open fretwork panel with speaker behind it and is covered by brown cloth. There is a handle for cranking. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, gramophone, music, entertainment, furniture, edison

This meat mincer was a common kitchen utensil used by housewives for the preparation of meat when cooking food for their familiesA 'Universal' steel, meat mincer with clamp to attach to table or bench, funnel top, and an adjustable screw - to cut meat - that is operated by a steel crank with a wooden handle.Front ; 2 'Universal' Crank arm : L.F&C. NEW BRITAIN, CONN, USAearly settlers, pioneers, market gardeners, moorabbin, bentleigh, housewives, home cooking, meat preparation, thatcher frank, l f & c pty ltd conneticut, butchers

The subject item is a good example of a large, hand-operated Bentwood box butter churn used to make up to 14 pounds of butter. It was made in Gisborne, Victoria, by the famous manufacturer, E. Cherry, and is known as an Improved Patent No.2 model probably dating from the late 1800s. The Cherry works specialised in making all types of butter churns and equipment for both domestic use on farms and small butter factories during the late nineteenth and early to mid. twentieth centuries. Milk was "separated" to retrieve the cream which was then beaten to make butter. E Cherry began making various models of Cherry butter churns in 1858, Edward Cherry migrated from Herefordshire England to Australia in 1855 with his wife Ann Appleby, nee Davis, and established a joinery workshop at Gisborne, Victoria. He began by making butter churns in his spare time and his product soon became popular allowing him to establish a viable business. A factory was established in 1875 and he started to make churns of all sizes including up to industrial scale. He exported his products to many countries around the world, Edward Cherry died in 1909 and the business was then run by his son George until he died in 1917. E Cherry's other son Thomas (1861-1945) was also involved in the firm maintaining an interest for several years. He had been born in Gisborne and became a senior house medical surgeon at the Melbourne Hospital in 1890. He continued his studies at Kings College London, eventually becoming a renowned bacteriologist and agricultural scientist. A significant giving an snapshot into how early rural and industrial manufacturing became established in Australia.Rectangular butter churn, a footed wooden box containing an X-shaped wooden interior rack, which is joined to an exterior metal hand crank with turned wood handle, through a hole in the box. Beneath the hand crank is a hole from the interior lined with metal. The lid has a carry handle affixed to the lid on two cross pieces attached to the lid by brass screws.Lettering in black on a transfer "CHERRY & SONS PTY LTD. GISBORNE VICTORIA". Model 00warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, butter churn, gisborne, edward cherry, george cherry, thomas cherry, ann appleby, dairy equipment

The subject item is a good example of a large, hand-operated Bentwood box butter churn used to make up to 14 pounds of butter. It was made in Gisborne, Victoria, by the famous manufacturer, E. Cherry, and is known as an Improved Patent No.2 model probably dating from the late 1800s. The Cherry works specialised in making all types of butter churns and equipment for both domestic use on farms and small butter factories during the late nineteenth and early to mid. twentieth centuries. Milk was "separated" to retrieve the cream which was then beaten to make butter. E Cherry began making various models of Cherry butter churns in 1858, Edward Cherry migrated from Herefordshire England to Australia in 1855 with his wife Ann Appleby, nee Davis, and established a joinery workshop at Gisborne, Victoria. He began by making butter churns in his spare time and his product soon became popular allowing him to establish a viable business. A factory was established in 1875 and he started to make churns of all sizes including up to industrial scale. He exported his products to many countries around the world, Edward Cherry died in 1909 and the business was then run by his son George until he died in 1917. E Cherry's other son Thomas (1861-1945) was also involved in the firm maintaining an interest for several years. He had been born in Gisborne and became a senior house medical surgeon at the Melbourne Hospital in 1890. He continued his studies at Kings College London, eventually becoming a renowned bacteriologist and agricultural scientist. A significant giving an snapshot into how early industrial manufacturing became established in Australia.Rectangular manual butter churn, footed wooden box containing an X-shaped wooden interior rack, which is joined to an exterior metal hand crank with turned wood handle, through a hole in the box. Beneath the hand crank is a hole from the interior lined with metal. The lid has a carry handle affixed to the lid on two cross pieces attached to the lid by brass screws.Label in block transfer Manufactured by Cherry & Sons Pty Ltd Gisborne, Victoria Size "00"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, butter churn, cherry and sons, wooden butter churn

Used in kitchen to cut carrots, cheese slices, onions. boiled eggs, etc.Painted black guillotine on a wooden stand. An iron pole keeps the guillotine in vertical position at one end of the block. Driven by two wheels when a handle is turned. A tilting beam moves the guillotine up and down to cut vegetables, etc. Blade 18cm long by 6.5cm wide. Metal plate missing under blade. A rotatable drum to contain the food to be chopped, which is rotated by a cog at the base (also missing) turns the container. The upright holding chopper blade e is a modification made because of the missing container.|The following description is from Ken Turner Booklet referred to under 'Reference'. ----|The Starrett food chopper would certainly have to be considered one of the more interesting inventions, which incidentally is now considered the ultimate in kitchen collectables. Laroy Starrett in later years' told of how the design of his food chopper was inspired by the action of the walking beam engine used on the Mississippi steam boats. When the crank handle of the chopper is turned, this sets in motion a mechanism which is just fascinating to watch. The crank activates a flywheel which in turn, by a series of cogs and levers, simultaneously rotates a food holding container and raises and lowers within the rotating container, a guillotine like 'chopping blade - the action does not only look like that of a beam steam engine, it even in a way sounds like one, although somewhat noisier. Starrett produced seven different models of these choppers, ranging in size appropriate for domestic use to heavy duty models for butchers, restaurants and for hotel use. The small model was capable of chopping 3lbs in three minutes, and the largest had a capacity for chopping something like 100 lbs in an hour. The mechanical chopper, which became affectionately known as the 'hasher', was the first of some one hundred of Starrett's inventions, and these include a washing machine patented in 1865 which had a similar action to his food chopper, a food press patented in 1873, and a device for lacing shoes he patented in 1886.domestic items, food preparation

This is a classic mechanical apple peeler, corer, and slicer, commonly used in kitchens to quickly prepare apples for cooking, baking, or preserving. The user would attach the apple to the pronged fork, turn the crank, and the machine would peel the skin, remove the core, and slice the apple in one motion. These devices were popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries and were often found in home kitchens and food preparation areas.This is a vintage hand-cranked apple peeler, corer, and slicer. It consists of a metal frame painted green with a rotating mechanism operated by a hand crank. The device is designed to be clamped onto a table or countertop using an adjustable screw mechanism at the base. The main components include: A hand-crank with a wooden handle, attached to a spiral metal rod. A spiked fork where an apple would be secured. A cutting blade assembly, which includes a coring blade and a peeling blade, positioned to remove the skin while rotating the fruit. A support arm with rollers and gears, which moves the apple through the peeling and coring process.apple, corer, peeler, kitchen, fruit, household item