Lightning Apple Parer

The Virtual Apple Parer Museum. Dedicated to the exhibition and educational study of antique apple parers which have both historic and artistic value.

Previous \| Lightning Evolution\| Next
Early Lightning Apple Parer PATENTED OCT. 6 1863 The Lightning Apple Parer uses a simple arc to pare an apple in a flash, hence the name. The first Lightning Apple Parers are embossed with a patent date of Oct. 6, 1863. So, when were these parers manufactured? *The American Agriculturist* introduced the Lightning Apple Parer to readers in August of 1866 (American Agriculturist, 1866, p. 278).** An advertisement in the same volume states the parer had a "thorough trial" over the last year (p. 301). Testimonials in the advertisement extrolling the virtue of the Lightning Apple Parer are dated 1866. This evidence suggests the Lightning Apple Parer was first marketed either in 1865 or 1866.
The first version of the Lightning has a spring-loaded paring head patented by E. L. Pratt on Oct. 6, 1863. A second version of the Lightning Apple Parer has a paring arm with a fixed paring head and straight paring rod. A second patent date of Aug. 23 '64 is embossed on the left side of the lever arm frame. Lightning Apple Parer Version 2 PATENTED OCT. 6 1863 AUG. 23 64 Left: Lightning with one patent date. Right: Lightning with two patent dates. Note, both have a "foot" guide for supporting the lever arm along the curved rack.
The Lightning Apple Parer design was modified a third time sometime during the summer of 1867. The initial design included a "foot" to support the lever frame carrying the fork and handle. The foot was removed, gear ratio changed, and a patent date of June 18, 1867 added (Goodell, 1867). The paring arm was made with a slight bend so that it would rotate the fixed paring head during the paring process. This allowed the entire cutting surface of the blade to be utilized.

Left: The first two versions of the Lightning have a "foot" guide on the inside curved rack to support the lever arm. Right: The third version of the Lightning has no foot and a June 18, '67 patent date embossed on the right side of the lever arm.
References Goodell, D.H., inventor; Improved Fruit-Paring Machine. 1867 June 18. US65804. *Judd, Orange, editor, American Agriculturist* Vol. 25, No. 8 (New Series no. 235). New York: Orange Judd 1866.** Landers, Frary & Clark (1869). Illustrated Catlogue and Price List of Table Cutlery and Hardware Manufactured by Landers, Frary & Clark Manufactories New Britain, Connecticut. New York: Hartford Press William C. Hutchings & Co. Pratt, E.L., inventor; Improved Apple-Parer. 1863 October 6. US40185. Pratt, E. L., inventor; Improved Peach-Parer. 1864 August 23. US43956.

©Copyright 2007 by Mike Viney | Website Use |