Conical sieve set into a circular wire frame with three legs and a handle. A wooden pestle sits inside the sieve.

1928

Rotary Food Press, Wear-Ever

Designed by: Ingvard B. Bjornson (1890–1957)

Material: Aluminum, steel, wood

Produced by: Aluminum Cooking Utensil Company, New Kensington, Pennsylvania

Dimensions: 23 x 28 x 28 cm

The Liliane and David M. Stewart Program for Modern Design, gift of David A. Hanks, 2007.32

The form of this food press is of ancient origin, as is true of so many manual tools for food preparation, but this version was modernized in its material—aluminum—which was still considered new in the 1920s.

Adjustments to the older form include the wide flare at the top with the conforming tool of wood, which prevented the food from spilling out as it was forced through the strainer. A variety of food presses are still available on the market today—some in very similar forms to this—but the electric food processor has taken over this job in many kitchens.

The Stewart Program for Modern Design, photo: Denis Farley.