An electric carving knife or electric knife is an electrical kitchen device used for slicing

food Food is any substance consumed by an organism for nutritional support. Food is usually of plant, animal, or fungal origin, and contains essential nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, or minerals. The substance is ...

s. The device consists of two serrated blades that are clipped together. When the appliance is switched on, the blades continuously move lengthways to provide the sawing action. They were popular in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

in the 1970s.

Invention

The invention of the electric knife is usually attributed to

Jerome L. Murray Jerome (; la, Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus; grc-gre, Εὐσέβιος Σωφρόνιος Ἱερώνυμος; – 30 September 420), also known as Jerome of Stridon, was a Christian priest, confessor, theologian, and historian; he is comm ...

, but there are other claimants, such as Clem E. Kosterman, who filed a patent in 1939. Electric knives can be corded or cordless.

Other uses

They are also sometimes used for other purposes, including sculpting polyurethane foam rubber,Sylvia Moss. ''Costumes and Chemistry: A Comprehensive Guide to Materials and Applications'', Quite Specific Media Group Ltd, 2001. p317 cutting

wood Wood is a porous and fibrous structural tissue found in the stems and roots of trees and other woody plants. It is an organic materiala natural composite of cellulose fibers that are strong in tension and embedded in a matrix of ligni ...

, cutting

metal A metal (from Greek μέταλλον ''métallon'', "mine, quarry, metal") is a material that, when freshly prepared, polished, or fractured, shows a lustrous appearance, and conducts electricity and heat relatively well. Metals are typi ...

, and other solid or semi-solid substances and materials.

Cultural references

*In the 1981 horror film '' Possession'', the character of Anna cuts her neck with an electric knife. *In the 1986 horror film '' Maximum Overdrive'', an electric knife turns itself on and cuts waitress Wanda June. *In the third-season ''

Simpsons ''The Simpsons'' is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical depiction of American life, epitomized by the Simpson family, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, an ...

'' episode " Dog of Death",

Homer Homer (; grc, Ὅμηρος , ''Hómēros'') (born ) was a Greek poet who is credited as the author of the '' Iliad'' and the '' Odyssey'', two epic poems that are foundational works of ancient Greek literature. Homer is considered one of ...

attempts to use an electric knife to carve a

Thanksgiving Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated on various dates in the United States, Canada, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Liberia, and unofficially in countries like Brazil and Philippines. It is also observed in the Netherlander town of Leiden ...

turkey at the table, sending pieces of it flying at other family members. *In

Stephen King Stephen Edwin King (born September 21, 1947) is an American author of horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, crime, science-fiction, and fantasy novels. Described as the "King of Horror", a play on his surname and a reference to his high ...

's 1987 novel '' Misery'',

Annie Wilkes Annie Wilkes is the main antagonist in the 1987 novel '' Misery'', by Stephen King. In the 1990 film adaptation of the novel, Wilkes was portrayed by Kathy Bates, who won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal. A nurse by trainin ...

slices off

Paul Sheldon ''Misery'' is an American psychological horror thriller novel written by Stephen King and first published by Viking Press on June 8, 1987. The novel's narrative is based on the relationship of its two main characters – the romance novelist Pa ...

's thumb with an electric knife.

References

Kitchen knives Food preparation appliances 20th-century inventions American inventions {{cooking-tool-stub

Invention

Other uses

Cultural references

See also

References