I used to work in a French bakery about 10-15 years ago. It had an ancient bread slicer that I thought had a patent date that was earlier than 1927 — about 1900 — but I could be wrong. (It’s possible that it had been made in Germany.) I used it with trepidation, as there were no finger guards, but once I got the hang of it, it was okay. I’ve used band saws and other power wood-working tools, but this was in an intimidating class by itself. And it was really loud. I’m amazed that OSHA didn’t outlaw the things. — But it was also heartwarming to see a well-made piece of equipment still doing its thing so well after so many decades. They truly do not make ’em like they used to. A pox upon planned obsolescence.
How well I recalled a similar device slicing freshly-baked loaves of pumpernickel and rye with caraway seeds on Sundays after church when I was a squirt.
This is more like it, if you can envision something bigger, more dangerous, and with more late Victorian / steam punk flair. 😉
I’m willing to bet that one of the big selling points of pre-sliced bread — aside from fitting into the slots of those newfangled electric toasters — was the uniformity of the pieces, which would have been welcomed by home economists and dietitians. For busy parents making lunch for kids to take to school, sliced bread would have been a godsend, especially in big families.
From a nutritional standpoint, pre-slicing bread is not so great because it speeds staleness. It also increases the surface area for colonization by airborne bread mold, which is great if you’re into culturing penicillin. Case-hardened crust protects loaves from spoilage, which is why I still prefer to buy whole loaves and cut them myself.
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PakalanaPikake
January 17, 2020 at 8:46 AM
Happy 98th Birthday!
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7899273/Looking-great-98-Beloved-Golden-Girl-Betty-White-smiles-shes-spotted-birthday.html
Betty White debuted on TV in 1939. Manseh!
Fly Colours
January 17, 2020 at 9:06 AM
And she’s still so stylish! #ageinggoals
Ms. Rabbit 🐇
January 17, 2020 at 9:23 AM
I heard this on the radio on my way to work just now. It’s bringing me all the feelsss.. Thanks, Paka!
korfan
January 18, 2020 at 12:44 AM
She’s seen it all!
ship-happens
January 18, 2020 at 5:12 PM
https://i.imgur.com/FlWd6nd.jpg
(This is one of the only times I use memes). She’s so sassy. I love her.
PakalanaPikake
January 18, 2020 at 8:10 PM
@artgirl ship-happens,
ROFLMAO! Thank you!
I used to work in a French bakery about 10-15 years ago. It had an ancient bread slicer that I thought had a patent date that was earlier than 1927 — about 1900 — but I could be wrong. (It’s possible that it had been made in Germany.) I used it with trepidation, as there were no finger guards, but once I got the hang of it, it was okay. I’ve used band saws and other power wood-working tools, but this was in an intimidating class by itself. And it was really loud. I’m amazed that OSHA didn’t outlaw the things. — But it was also heartwarming to see a well-made piece of equipment still doing its thing so well after so many decades. They truly do not make ’em like they used to. A pox upon planned obsolescence.
How well I recalled a similar device slicing freshly-baked loaves of pumpernickel and rye with caraway seeds on Sundays after church when I was a squirt.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Frederick_Rohwedder#Career
Rohwedder’s bread slicer in operation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LHZO57RDi4
This is much larger than the machine I used, and intended for use in a factory bakery.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1C76XrTXFZY
This is more like it, if you can envision something bigger, more dangerous, and with more late Victorian / steam punk flair. 😉
I’m willing to bet that one of the big selling points of pre-sliced bread — aside from fitting into the slots of those newfangled electric toasters — was the uniformity of the pieces, which would have been welcomed by home economists and dietitians. For busy parents making lunch for kids to take to school, sliced bread would have been a godsend, especially in big families.
From a nutritional standpoint, pre-slicing bread is not so great because it speeds staleness. It also increases the surface area for colonization by airborne bread mold, which is great if you’re into culturing penicillin. Case-hardened crust protects loaves from spoilage, which is why I still prefer to buy whole loaves and cut them myself.