November 2016 Mystery Tool A
Unidentified. Photo submitted by Donna Johnson via email.
November 2016 Mystery Tool B
Unidentified. Photo submitted by Al Fortney, Clarkston, Wash.
November 2016 Mystery Tool C
Lemon squeezer. Identified by Victor Fleace, Corydon, Ind. See patent no. 240,858 (patent date matches that on the item in the photo and tool operates in the same manner, but patent illustration clearly varies from the manufactured item). Photo submitted by Joanne Johnston, Lakeview, Ore.
Patent no. 240,858: Lemon squeezer. Patent granted to Joseph C. Stever, San Francisco, Calif., May 3, 1881.
November 2016 Mystery Tool D
Unidentified. Photo submitted by Richard Bader, Middletown, N.Y.
November 2016 Mystery Tool E
Unidentified. Photo submitted by Richard Bader, Middletown, N.Y.
November 2016 Mystery Tool F
Auto tire protector jacks, used to elevate early automobiles while in storage, helping preserve tire condition. All early vehicles had a hub beyond the wheel and these jacks were placed under the jobs to lift the car. “To use, place the long part with the handle on the floor and slide it over next to the wheel,” says Jack Coleman, Sidney, Ill. “The
short part with the curve stands up and goes under the hub. Pull up the handle to raise the wheel. The hook is to hold the two parts together.” Identified by Dennis Howard, Boyne Falls, Mich.; Ralph Hurlbert, Raymond, S.D.; and Max Kelley, Spiro, Okla.; Oliver Herzberg, Villisca, Iowa; Earl Meyer, Lincoln, Mo. See patent no. 975,600 for a different piece but one designed to operate in a similar manner for a description of how these jacks were used. Photo submitted by James Swize, San Antonio, Texas.
Patent no. 975,600: Auto tire protector jack. Patent granted to George M. Beard, LaGrange, Ind., Nov. 15, 1910.