Most of us mere mortals have learned that it can be an herculean task to remove lids the first time from store-bought jars. In our house, we used to imagine that bottling companies employed men with over-developed arms to tighten jar lids. Fortunately, inventors have come to our aid. Below are two examples of one such marvelous mechanical device. I can
attest to their effectiveness at removing very stubborn lids.
The one on the left with the wooden handle is an earlier model:
As can be seen above, the tool uses a rack and pinion to close metal jaws on the bottle lid, adding considerable mechanical advantage. The opener was patented in 1933 by Henry J. Edlund of Burlington, Vermont, who had previously patented an ornamental design for a broom in 1923, a can opener in 1925 and a mechanical egg beater in 1931.
The later model added teeth to the jaws:
The Edlund Company is still in existence in
Burlington, manufacturing what is now referred to as “foodservice
equipment” including can and bottle
openers. Sadly, the model featured here is no longer offered.
I have the exact tool that's been in my family for generations and am mighty proud to own it. As a senior it is being used again and will pass on to future family members.
ReplyDeleteI also have the one on the right, in green. It's very old.
ReplyDeleteI have this exact tool and it works great
ReplyDeleteI have the wooden version. Passed down from my Grandmother. It still works fine after 86 years of constant use in her house and mine. Made so much better than anything made today.
ReplyDeleteWooden version? Do have a picture I could add to the post? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYes, we have one awesome quality.
DeleteYes, I have one also from my grandmother!!! I see that Amazon is selling one that copies the old one by kitchwit. Did they steal the idea or is this the new model of the Ed Lund Co.?
ReplyDeleteHave one that's got to be over 70 yrs. old and STILL WORKS GREAT!!! It's a shame this company no longer makes them, as I KNOW there's a market for them.
ReplyDeleteJust a few weeks ago I was in the kitchen trying to open a jar of something using one of the newer silicone pads made for that. Of course it didn't work and I wondered what happened to the one my parents kept in the kitchen drawer.
ReplyDeleteTonight, (9/5/19)I was in the garage removing an old 50's am fm radio that I just finished replacing it's missing knobs There was a box on top of it that I had to remove and among it's contents was the old wood handle Ed Lund Jar Opener.
I think I'll give it to my daughter as she may appreciate it in the coming years as I have during years past. It's a green handled one, BTW.
It doesn't seem to lock into place? Can you tell me how it works?
ReplyDeleteOk i figured it out
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing nice information about jar bottle opener with us. i glad to read this post.
ReplyDeleteI bought my house in ‘92 from an elderly couple. This jar opener has been in my possession since then and only now do I know what it is for. It works beautifully! Nice to know I no longer have to run jars under hot water and bang on them with a butter knife ever again!!
ReplyDeleteMy husband found this jar opener at a car boot sale a few years back.Only today did I read the words and check it out recognising VT as Vermont which I visited from the UK one fall.The one we have is red wooden handled and works perfectly.Good to know its history.
ReplyDeleteWorks better than anything " new tangled" .
It's a popular device, now internationally known!;-)
ReplyDeleteI have the earlier model (red wood handle - no teeth) that my mother used before I was born. I don't care if Edlund no longer makes them - I'm gonna contact them and ask them to make the ones with wooden handles anyway! 😤
ReplyDeleteI just bought one today at a yard sale for $1. Wish I would have had this tool years + ago.
ReplyDeleteThis device has the biggest fan club of any discontinued item ever!
ReplyDeleteI still have my grand mother's top pop. It has been in the family for years. Works great. Has Edlund Co. Burlington,Vt on the top of it.
ReplyDeleteI have a Top Off can opener with a red handle that works lol ke a charm. Interestingly it says Burlington NY not Burlington VT
ReplyDeleteI have my grandmother's and just used it. It's an early one with a wood handle and no teeth.
ReplyDelete