17

A “Nifty” souvenir of the fair. The

“Nifty” is a combination cap lifter and

corkscrew which was patented by Harry

L. Vaughan on December 5, 1916 (U. S.

Patent No. 1,207,100). Millions of them

were produced and stamped with

hundreds of different advertisements for

Vaughan customers. A counter display

of Nifty openers reads “Heavier,

Stronger, Better. Nickel-plated. The easy way to start a cork, lift up on handle. Sold all over the

world.”

A corkscrew key commemorating the Century of Progress was made for the Great Lakes Dredge

& Dock Company. This company was founded in 1890 and shoreline structures for the

Columbian Exposition including the foundations for what later came to be known as Navy Pier

were among the company’s projects.

The “Sky Way” and Fort Dearborn are depicted on the reverse of the Great Lakes Dredge &

Dock Company key (above left). Another example (right) shows the administration building

instead of the Great Lakes Dredge & Dock enamel insert. On the opposite side is “Sky Ride”

instead of “Sky Way.”