Power Breasting Machine

This machine, manufactured in about 1919, is the only known survivor of the many hundreds of shoe making machines produced by the Company.
A 'Breaster' is used to cut the curved shape on the inside of the heel. It is important not to cut into the sole of the shoe: this machine incorporates a simple automatic tripping action to prevent this.
Once the foot pedal is operated there is no way to prevent the machine from completing the full cutting cycle and the machine apparently had a reputation for removing operators' fingers.