Historical information

This item was used by Helena Warren (nee McKeown), a well known photographer and local press correspondent. She lived at Newmerella.
The meat mincer was a particularly popular kitchen gadget. By means of the mincer left overs and off cuts could be transformed into shepherd's pie or mince steak.

Significance

Gadgets like this Universal food chopper are typical of domestic inventions designed to reinforce the principles of thrift and labour-saving. Many of these gadgets were imported from the United States.

Physical description

A cast iron metal hand mincer with a long metal body with an opening at one end, inside which is a circular spiral blade and a screw clamp attachment at the other end. On one side of the mincer is a curved metal handle held in place by a metal nut and a wooden bulb shaped knob at the end. There is a metal circular webbed blade held in place by a metal nut and bolt.

Inscriptions & markings

"Universal No. 2 brand; L.F. & C., New Britain, Conn., U.S.A."