Clockwork Spits & Early Kitchen Devices Photos

Roasting meats in early kitchens required workers to turn spits for even cooking. Several inventions using clockwork mechanisms relying on weights or springs were introduced to automate the process, mostly in wealthier homes.

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Clockwork roasting spit in kitchen at Georgian House museum. Edinburgh, Scotland.Clockwork roasting reflector in kitchen at Brodie Castle. Brodie, Scotland.Clockwork roasting device at Cawdor Castle. Cawdor, Scotland.Clockwork roasting rotisserie in kitchen at Strokestown Park. Vesnoy, Ireland.
Clockwork roasting spit in kitchen at Georgian House museum. Edinburgh, Scotland.Clockwork roasting reflector in kitchen at Brodie Castle. Brodie, Scotland.Clockwork roasting device at Cawdor Castle. Cawdor, Scotland.Clockwork roasting rotisserie in kitchen at Strokestown Park. Vesnoy, Ireland.
Vertical clockwork reflective roasting oven at Strokestown Park. Vesnoy, Ireland.Kitchen fireplace with clockwork roasting spit at Silas Deane House. Wethersfield, CT.Clockwork roasting spit mechanism in kitchen at Silas Deane House. Wethersfield, CT.Clockwork roasting spit driver at Buttolph-Williams House. Wethersfield, CT.
Vertical clockwork reflective roasting oven at Strokestown Park. Vesnoy, Ireland.Kitchen fireplace with clockwork roasting spit at Silas Deane House. Wethersfield, CT.Clockwork roasting spit mechanism in kitchen at Silas Deane House. Wethersfield, CT.Clockwork roasting spit driver at Buttolph-Williams House. Wethersfield, CT.
Clockwork spit for roasting meat before fire in kitchen at Chenonceau Chateau. Chenonceau, France.Clockwork rotisserie device in kitchen hearth at Jeremiah Lee Mansion. Marblehead, MA.Clockwork mechanism on kitchen range by Duparquet, Huot & Moneuse Co. at The Breakers. Newport, RI.Early mechanical sealed wooden tub washing machine & wringer at West Virginia State Museum. Charleston, WV.
Clockwork spit for roasting meat before fire in kitchen at Chenonceau Chateau. Chenonceau, France.Clockwork rotisserie device in kitchen hearth at Jeremiah Lee Mansion. Marblehead, MA.Clockwork mechanism on kitchen range by Duparquet, Huot & Moneuse Co. at The Breakers. Newport, RI.Early mechanical sealed wooden tub washing machine & wringer at West Virginia State Museum. Charleston, WV.
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All photos on this page are originals by & copyrighted by Jim Steinhart.
All rights reserved. Permission required to use.

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