My grandparents’ house is where I discovered it. For what purpose did they use it?

In 1839, Lester E. Denison of Middlesex County, Connecticut, patented one of the first hand-operated corn shellers in the United States. Denison’s design featured a rotary crank mechanism that let users insert an ear of corn into a cylinder. As the crank turned, teeth inside the cylinder stripped the kernels from the cob.

Mass Production and Variations

As the Industrial Revolution took hold, the demand for corn shellers soared, leading to mass production. Companies like Black Hawk, Keystone Manufacturing Co., and Red Chief emerged as prominent manufacturers, creating various models to meet different farming needs. Some models were designed to be mounted on a wooden box or barrel, allowing the shelled corn to be collected directly into a container below.

How It Works

Inserting the Corn: Users place an ear of corn into the designated slot or opening at the top of the sheller.

Turning the Crank: Users then turn a crank or handle, which rotates a set of gears or wheels equipped with teeth or ridges.

Shelling the Corn: As the corn passes through the sheller’s mechanism, the teeth strip the kernels from the cob, allowing them to fall through a chute or opening into a collection container. The bare cob is ejected separately.

Collecting the Kernels: The kernels typically collect in a basket, box, or sack placed beneath the sheller, ready for storage, sale, or further processing.

Applications and Benefits

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