Mechanical apple peeler

A mechanical apple peeler uses hand power and a mechanism to bring the fruit and cutting tool into contact. Distinguish it from a simple handheld peeler. Some models combine peeling with coring and slicing, but these functions do not belong to every apple peeler.

The Science Museum Group records a hand-operated Dandy machine performing all three tasks. Its example was made by Goodell Co. in the United States and dates from 1910 to 1912. Another model in the collection is called Little Star. The model name is therefore more useful than a general resemblance in crank or frame.

Examine the cutter, fruit holder, transmission and fixing for missing or replaced parts. Record markings exactly. A patent date is not necessarily the manufacturing year of the example. The museum's Dandy sits on a wooden board made for exhibition; such mounting should not automatically be described as original factory equipment.

Sources: Science Museum Group: Dandy, 1912-55; Science Museum Group: Little Star, 1969-474.