The Black Carpenter Who Invented The Pencil Sharpener In 1897, John Lee Love, a Black carpenter from Fall River, Massachusetts, patented the portable pencil sharpener—the "Love Sharpener"—revolutionizing how we sharpen pencils. Before Love's invention, pencil sharpeners were massive, wall-mounted rotary machines. Love simplified everything: a blade in a palm-sized wood casing with a compartment to catch shavings. His design is still the most popular pencil sharpener in the world. Love also inven

Where technology meets traditional skills. The chain morticer is the traditional carpenter’s elbow’s friend. The timber may be hewn, worked with an axe which allows the grain to be followed and to allow the carpenter to really bring out its character. But mortices can be hard work, and this tool makes light work of it. This was recorded during the restoration of the Nave of Notre-Dame cathedral. #craft #carpentry #history #woodworking #powertools #tools | mike dennis craft