In an earlier post about a press from 1532, I commented on the artistic convention of representing wood screws with a 45 degree angle. When cleaning up an closet, I found the book bag from the Bookbinding 2000 conference.
Mobile Knife Sharpeners
I see mobile knife sharpeners, generally outside of North America. Like this man, most have ingenious, homemade mechanisms rigged up on bicycles or mopeds to both provide transportation and power the grinding wheels. I’m a bit envious because seems like nice life, riding around, getting exercise and grinding knives en plein air! Looks like a nice acute bevel he is forming on the knife below.
A Test of a Book Conservator’s Mechanical Aptitude
This test was taken from Popular Science, December 1942. There were many puzzles like this one during 1940’s when mechanical aptitude was considered key in winning World War Two. Because this one features something that looks a lot like a book press, I thought some might be interested. You might have to turn your monitor upside down to read the answers.
Peachey Conservation 