60

Beau Brummel

On August 21, 1888, LeRoy Fairchild (New York, New York) wrote

―

This

invention relates to that class of corkscrews designed to be carried about the

person, the object being to produce a very compact, strong, and neat implement,

one that will occupy little space, and can be closed so as to exclude dust and

dirt.

‖

Fairchild was referring to the

―

Roundlet

‖

or

―

Beau Brummel

‖

type corkscrew in

which the worm is stored in a cylinder which serves as a handle when the worm

is pulled out and turned at a right angle to the cylinder. A number of these types

were already in production with the majority having a two part cylinder that

threads together fixing the worm as tightly as possible. Instead of threading his

together, Fairchild used two tubes within the outer casing which interlock when

not in use. One of the tubes has a slot into which the worm pivots tightly. Once

the worm is placed in position, the second tube / handle assembly is engaged

and locks it firmly in place.

United States Patent

Number 388,125 was

issued to Fairchild for

his invention.

Fairchild corkscrews

can be found with

patent information on

the tube or on the

worm shank.