"Universal" Bread Maker No. 4

"Universal" Bread Maker No. 4

<< >>
Usage conditions apply
Downloads
Description
Manually-operated, tabletop dough mixer, kneader and raiser; makes up to 4 loaves. Consists of a tapered circular container, made in three pieces with two folded, vertical seams and bottom folded up at edge, that has two side handles curved inward above its heavy, rolled rim and a shallow slot attached on bottom underside for a separate clamp that secures device to table or horizontal support; a stamped, Y-shaped crosspiece that snaps over the rim and has a central circular bearing to hold the dough hook and curved crank with black-painted wooden knob; and a cover placed on top of the crosspiece, stamped with instructions in raised sans serif letters. Assembly held together by turn latches. Crosspiece bears product name above two columns of patent dates from 1900 to 1906 and maker information, all in incuse letters; product information with "AWARDED GOLD MEDAL / ST. LOUIS EXPOSITION" are embossed inside a large circle on container side. No additional dough fingers or hooks.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
mixer, dough
date made
1906 or later
maker
Landers, Frary & Clark
place made
United States: Connecticut, New Britain
Physical Description
iron (bucket; cover material)
tin (bucket; cover material)
iron wire (bucket rim; bucket handles material)
wood (crank grip material)
paint (crank grip material)
steel (crosspiece; crank; dough hook; clamp material)
Measurements
overall: 13 7/8 in x 16 in x 12 3/8 in; 35.2425 cm x 40.64 cm x 31.4325 cm
crank (laying on side): 11 3/4 in x 16 in x 5 3/4 in; 29.845 cm x 40.64 cm x 14.605 cm
lid: 9/16 in x 12 in; 1.42875 cm x 30.48 cm
clamp: 4 1/2 in x 4 3/4 in x 3 1/2 in; 11.43 cm x 12.065 cm x 8.89 cm
bucket: 11 5/16 in x 13 11/16 in x 12 in; 28.73375 cm x 34.76625 cm x 30.48 cm
ID Number
DL.257491.0093
catalog number
257491.0093
accession number
257491
Credit Line
Kenneth E. Jewett
subject
Household Tools and Equipment
Baking
Food Processing
Patent Medicine
See more items in
Home and Community Life: Domestic Life
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Nominate this object for photography.   

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.

Comments

My daughter and I recently went to a used bike shop to look at buying some bikes and low and behold stumble on a Number 4 Universal Bread Maker for $50.00 dollars, I had to have it as I like to make bread. :)

Michael Cummings

Thu, 2020-10-01 09:26

My mother used one of these from the 1940s until the early 1990s. (Was there a slightly larger version? Mom’s made up to 6 loaves.) she was well-known throughout our district for her “good brown bread”. Her machine was a wedding gift to her mother in 1910. After Mom stopped making bread, I started and kept it up until about 2000. The bucket had been soldered many times around the bottom due to leaks and it finally just gave up. The machine now lives in the Metchosin Farm Museum near Victoria BC in Canada.

Ken Sudhues

Fri, 2020-05-22 09:07

I inherited a Universal Bread Maker from my grandmother and make bread with it many times a year. Treasure her original receipe and am passing it along to my following generations. At the age of 69 I always have volunteers who want to come watch and help with the making of bread. This bread brings with it memories of the past. Yesterday I passed along to my first cousin once removed the art of making bread and strawberry jam and how rewarding the day was to us both. The bread maker I have was used every other day in making the bread on my grandparents farm in Illinois. It carries with it the memories of the fresh bread from the oven in time for the farm hands to come to the table for lunch and the wonderful homemade meals my grandmother created.

Susan Johnson

Wed, 2018-08-15 12:17

I'm interested in finding out more about the development of the Universal No. 4 bread maker and other Universal products. Thank you!

MJ Diem

Wed, 2017-09-13 08:24

Note: Comment submission is temporarily unavailable while we make improvements to the site. We apologize for the interruption. If you have a question relating to the museum's collections, please first check our Collections FAQ. If you require a personal response, please use our Contact page.