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

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Image of Vertical Lightning Arc Apple Parer

The New Lightning (Vertically Mounted Model)

The Lighting Apple Parer was a great success; even so, Goodell wanted to make improvements including the addition of a push-off mechanism to help remove the pared apple. Three different parers that included a push-off were sold as "New Lightning Apple Parers."

An early attempt at adding a push-off to the original Lightning design appears in a July 1875 issue of the American Agriculturist (American Agriculturist, 1875).


New Lightning Apple Parer

 

New Lighting Pushoff

 

Adding a push-off to the original horizontal-mounted design does not seem like it was a success as these parers are quite rare today. Apples that are larger than 2 3/4 inches tall jam up against the paring knife at the same time as the push-off is being activated to loosen the pared apple. This parer carries the same three patent dates of October 6, 1863, August 23, 1864 and June 18, 1867 that are embossed on the common Lighting Apple Parer.

A second New Lighting Apple Parer utilized a split-frame design by William Robb to loosen the apple from the fork (Robb, 1870). The parer has a great mechanism; however, it too is a very rare find today indicating it was not a marketing success. Robb's split-frame innovation was also used for three different versions of Goodell's Turntable Apple Parer. The parer is embossed PAT'D OCT. 6.63 & NOV. 22.70. This parer was offered by Maurice E. Viele of Albany, New York for $9.00 a dozen in an advertisement for Apple and Peach Parers (Viele). In design, this parer is a "reflection" of the regular lighting apple parers in that the paring is performed as the handle is moved towards instead of away from the operator. This is also true of the Lightning Peach Parers.

 

New Lighting Split Frame


The final attempt at adding a push-off also changed the orientation of the parer from horizontal to vertical, see first image above and advertisement below. The vertically oriented machine was based upon Goodell's patent of June 18, 1867 and Oaks's March 18, 1884 patent (Goodell, 1867; Oaks, 1884). This parer is relatively common indicating the third attempt was a success.

The vertical orientation allows the parings to fall free of the gear mechanism. A push-off can dispense pared apples into a container. Simmons Hardware Company advertised the New Lighting in their 1890 catalog, see below (Simmons, 1890, p. 582).

 

New Lightning Vertical


References

Goodell, D.H., inventor; Improved Fruit-Paring Machine. 1867 June 18. US65804.

Judd, Orange, editor, American Agriculturist Vol. 34, No. 7 (New Series no. 342). New York: Orange Judd 1875, p. 276.

Oaks, W. A. C., inventor; Apple-Parer March 18. US295274.

Pratt, E.L., inventor; Improved Apple-Parer. 1863 October 6. US40185.

Pratt, E. L., inventor; Improved Peach-Parer. 1864 August 23. US43956.

Robb, W. II, inventor; Improvement in Apple-Paring Machines. 1870 November 22. US109454.

Simmons Hardware Company Catalog 1890, p. 582.

Viele, M.E., 'Apple and Peach Parers' (pamphlet of unknown date). International Society of Apple Parer Enthusiasts, Fall 1988, Issue 7, p. 12.
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