Information AboutNutcracker |
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A nutcracker consists of a Mechanical Device for cracking Nut s. It works on the Principle of Moment s as described in Archimedes ' analysis of the Lever . DECORATIVE Nutcrackers in the form of Wood en Carving s of a Soldier , Knight , King , or other Profession have existed since at least the 15th Century . These nutcrackers portray a person with a large Mouth which the operator opens by lifting a Lever in the back of the Figurine . Originally one could insert a nut in the big-toothed mouth, press down and thereby crack the nut. Modern nutcrackers in this style serve mostly for Decoration , mainly at Christmas time. The carving of nutcrackers — as well as of religious figures and of Crib s —developed as a Cottage Industry in Forest ed Rural areas of Germany . The most famous nutcracker carvings come from Sonneberg in Thuringia (also a center of Doll making) and from the Ore Mountains . Wood-carving usually provided the only income for the people living there. Today the Travel industry Supplement s their Income by bringing visitors to the remote areas. Nutcrackers have become popular in the United States as well, and a recreated "Bavarian village" of Leavenworth, Washington even features a Nutcracker Museum . Many other materials also serve to make decorated nutcrackers, such as Porcelain , Silver , and Brass ; the museum displays samples. Carvings by famous names like Junghanel, Klaus Mertens, Karl, Olaf Kolbe, Petersen, Christian Ulbricht and especially the Steinbach Nutcracker s have become Collector s' items. Steinbachs vary greatly in price, anywhere from $200 to over $1000 in some cases. FUNCTIONAL Manufacturers produce modern nutcrackers — designed solely to crack nuts — usually somewhat resembling Pliers , but with the Pivot point at the end beyond the nut, rather than in the middle. End-users also utilise them for cracking the shells of Crab and Lobster in order to make the Meat inside available for Eat ing. Parrot s use their Beak s as natural nutcrackers, in much the same way smaller Bird s crack Seed s. In this case, the pivot point stands opposite the nut, at the jaw. EXTERNAL LINKS |
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