198

Tipped Worms

How did so many old corkscrews get their tips broken / shortened?

Graphics from a Crown Cork and Seal advertisement

.

William Painter wrote in his

1892 ―Bottle Sealing Device‖ (

crown cork) patent

―

... the

caps can be almost readily detached by the use of a knife, a screw-driver, a nail, an ice-

pick, or any usually and readily available pointed instrument ...

‖

Apparently,

corkscrews were included in his thoughts!