New Materials, New Tools (page 2)
The Sound of the Shortcut
It Slices! It Dices!
The Veg-O-Matic food slicer, invented by Samuel J. Popeil, debuted in 1963 and was sold by his son, Ron, via late-night television. The device is best remembered for his iconic sales pitch—“It slices! It dices!”
Veg-O-Matic with blades, about 1963
Manually operated, the plastic gadget enabled cooks to push fruits and vegetables through changeable steel-cutting blades. Gift of Lisa S. Popeil for the Popeil Family in memory of Samuel J. Popeil.
From the Burner to the Freezer
Corning Glass Works formulated a glass ceramic material in the 1950s that withstood extreme temperatures. A single CorningWare dish could be used for cooking, freezing, and serving food.
Corning Ware casserole dish
Received as a wedding present, this casserole dish is from a set used for forty-five years. Gift of Anne L. Bernat.
“It's so good I put my name on it!”
Boxer George Foreman, who reclaimed the world heavyweight title at the age of forty-five, credited his comeback to a healthy lifestyle and eating habits. His story and charisma helped make the portable, electric grill a runaway success of the 1990s.
Grill, about 1995
The grill’s designer sought out Foreman to pitch the product to health-conscious consumers. Its angled, indented surface drained most of the fat away from the food. Gift of Debbie Schaefer-Jacobs.
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