Corkscrews and Bottle Openers

The corkscrew was invented in the seventeenth century, the original design being based on a device for withdrawing a ramrod from a gun barrel. Since then thousands of different versions have been produced, from beautifully hand-crafted corkscrews to novelty and comedy varieties. Today, corkscrews and bottle openers are common objects in many households, and will continue to be so for as long as the cork is used as a bottle closure. This book traces the history of the corkscrew, illustrates many different kinds and explains how they work and how they were made. It also covers other tools used for opening bottles sealed with various caps or stoppers.

The corkscrew was invented in the seventeenth century, the original design being based on a device for withdrawing a ramrod from a gun barrel. Since then thousands of different versions have been produced, from beautifully hand-crafted corkscrews to novelty and comedy varieties. Today, corkscrews and bottle openers are common objects in many households, and will continue to be so for as long as the cork is used as a bottle closure. This book traces the history of the corkscrew, illustrates many different kinds and explains how they work and how they were made. It also covers other tools used for opening bottles sealed with various caps or stoppers.

Evan Perry was an avid collector and traveler. Born in London in 1918, he started collecting at the age of ten with a few weapons left him by an uncle. He worked in various museums, including the Armouries of the Tower of London and the Royal Pavilion, Brighton. His interest in corkscrews started when he saw a vintner's collection of corkscrews in Paris and was captivated by their variety and charm.