The Virtual Corkscrew Museum's Weekly Newspaper

Regards from Wirtz, Virginia

After receiving numerous pleadings from readers of The Daily Screw and The Occasional Screw, the on line publication is being resurrected as The Weekly Screw. If you want to keep it up, let us hear from you.

Our welcome back takes a look at a popular c.1911-1915 postcard featuring a wood handle direct pull corkscrew and a Yale & Towne Key. By the list of cities and towns greetings reported on this card, its distribution appears to be rather widespread. Below is a list of reported cards. If you have one not listed, please email the information. Note: Do not include cards that do not have this exact picture.

Atlantic City Banks, Oregon Belchertown, Mass. Blank Bolivar, Pa. Boston, Mass. Columbus, Ohio Concord, N.H. Conway, Kansas Covington, Ky. Cuba, N. Y. Easthampton, Mass. Elmwood, Ill. Enfield, N. H. Greensboro, N. C. Harlan, Iowa Haverhill, Mass. Highland Falls, N. Y. Hudson, Mass. Lawrence, Mass. Mahwah, N. J. Mechanics Falls, Me. New York

Newark, N. J. Niagara Falls, Ontario Old Town, Me. Peoria, Ill. Port Richmond, S. I., N. Y. Providence, R. I. Putnam, Conn. Regards from (blank) Regards from this Town Roodhouse, Ill. Rocky Mount, N. C. St. Johnsbury, Vt. Springfield, Ill. Springfield, Mass. Summerside Tea, Missouri Tionesta, Pa. Topeka, Kansas Tunnelton, W. Va. Wabash, Ind. Walla Walla Woonsocket, R. I.

A "Regards from" Greeting

In the early 1900s, long before email and instant message, postcards were a common form of quick communication. They were sent back and forth amongst friends by the millions. They were used to make appointments, send invitations, send greetings of the season, and just to keep in touch.

On a generic "Regards from this Town" card, Bootsie in Butler, Kentucky mailed this message to William Bauer in Cincinnati on June 17, 1912:

Hello Bill, Be sure & be over Sat. The hills are swell, the chicken is tender & strawberry wine is good. Get that "okay"? There are millions of daisies looking on but they "won't tell". Love, Bootsie

Wouldn't we all love to know the end of this story.

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Business Journals Report Pedrini Produced the First Double Lever

May 10, 2006, New York, New York ... Several business journals have reported on Lifetime Brands purchase of Pedrini.

New York Business .com wrote:

"Lifetime Brands Inc. said it bought the rights to sell kitchenware and barware products made by Italian designer Pedrini, adding to its growing collection of home products. Lifetime Chief Executive Jeffrey Siegel said Pedrini’s distribution business will move to Lifetime’s Robbinsville, N.J., facility. The Italian company’s Bayport, L.I., office will close within six months and marketing of Pedrini products will be done from Lifetime’s headquarters in Westbury, L.I.

Privately-held Pedrini -- the first company to create the double lever corkscrew -- joins Lifetime’s gadget business, which includes products sold under names like Hoffritz and Farberware."

Both Forbes and MSN Money included in their report:

"Pedrini was founded in Italy in 1942 by Giuseppe Pedrini, who developed the first double lever corkscrew. In the past 60 years, Pedrini's distribution has grown to over 60 countries worldwide. First distributed in the United States over 25 years ago, Pedrini has built a reputation on its distinct designs and unique packaging."

And the Long Island Business News reported:

"According to a statement, Pedrini was founded in 1942 by Giuseppe Pedrini, who developed the first double-lever corkscrew. That’s the wine opener that looks like E.T. signaling a touchdown."

Editor: That's all very interesting. We didn't know that! What about Baker's 1880 invention and Heeley's 1888 invention and the production of the A-1 Double Lever? And what about Smythe's 1930s Hootch Owl? And so many others?

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Corkscrewed

March 8, 2006, Springdale, Arkansas ... The Morning News reported:

"A 24-year-old Fayetteville man reluctantly pleaded guilty Tuesday in Washington County Circuit Court to the rape and kidnapping of a 25-year-old woman last year. Eddie A. Poindexter initially wouldn’t admit the crimes to Judge Kim Smith. He first answered he didn’t rape the woman and then said they were “together.” He was then asked if he broke into her home. He first said he didn’t. When asked those questions again, he finally admitted his guilt. He also pleaded to felony aggravated robbery, residential burglary and theft of property in the April 13 incident. ... Poindexter left the 36 Club on Dickson Street April 13 and probably followed the woman home. The woman had been home only a few minutes when Poindexter knocked on the door. He asked to use her phone and she told him she didn’t have one. Poindexter then asked her for money and shoved his way inside. Once inside, he picked up a corkscrew, held it against her throat and looked for money. She told him she didn’t have any in the house but had a debit card. She said he could have it if he wouldn’t hurt her. Poindexter then forced the woman down on her bed and raped her more than once while holding the corkscrew to her throat..."

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