This is the screw that forces the food through the funnel of the meat grinder. Once again I’m charmed by the grace of this strange object made for a strictly utilitarian purpose in 1901. I can easily imagine myself slipping into steam punk as an outgrowth of my interest in 19th century industrial design. Perhaps it’s because the form served the function of the apparatus without being totally enslaved by it. A strict adherence to the 20th century dictum “form follows function” doesn’t allow for graceful curves created with an eye to please visually as well as get the job done.
