Historical information

This bean slicer is one of the household labour-saving devices that became

increasingly popular in the early to mid 20th century. In those times vegetables such as

beans were often grown in the backyard of a house or farm and bean-cutting was a

laborious task, especially when providing for a large family. Processed sliced beans

were not then freely available.

Significance

This bean slicer has no known local provenance but is retained as an interesting

example of a 20th century household labour-saving device.

Physical description

This is a metal object with a round disc with three metal blades underneath on a

turntable for slicing. The blades are attached by six screws. There are two funnels on

the top of the disc for inserting the beans. A handle that turns the blades is attached

by a screw to the round disc. Attached to the disc also is a vice that enables the slicer

to be bolted to a bench or table. The slicer has been painted green but the paint is

wearing off and the whole object is rusty