Clayton E. Giangiulio is not a name that will ring a bell, but the world is filled with anonymous talent. 

The rest of the story.   Little did I know that years ago when my husband brought home a little gadget called the Tomato Shark, that someday the name Clayton E. Giangiulio would mean something. 

For years (almost on a daily basis) I would pull the Tomato Shark out of the drawer and use it to take a hull out of a tomato, or a bad spot off a potato, or help to peel a orange.  I've carried similar designs through the years, but none were like the Tomato Shark. 

Then, one day this summer I thought gosh I love this thing, and noticed a patent number on the Shark. 

Curiosity got the best of me and led me to the United States Patent Office, and meeting (on paper) Clayton E. Giangiulio who filed for a patent on January 8, 1968.    The Tomato Shark is a "Coring Device" that received its patent on April 14, 1970.   I downloaded the specification, and indeed this was my Shark!  A few more searches online and some deductive reasoning lead to a company in Pennsylvania. 

A gentleman named Dominic answered the phone.  The conversation started out rather strange, as I began to tell my tale of search.  But, indeed I was talking to the company that manufactured the Tomato Shark!   Dominic, the original owners son, explained that Clayton was a Designer/Engineer who worked with his father.  Clayton has sadly passed away, but he lives on through the Tomato Shark which is now available at Upson's!..and that's the rest of the story.

- Linda Czapla

Chef Zagorski  represents several lines of housewares that we carry.   He's a good saleman, and he's a classically trained Chef.   I was surprised when he went crazy at sight of our Dexter Dough Scraper, and immediately purchased it.  

This is another one of those "years ago" items.  Chef's know these things, me, I seem to go by instinct.  I've used my dough scraper for over 20 years (that's called getting your money's worth!), and little did I even think about the fact that it was Made in America.  Of course, back then almost  everything was - which brings me to Dexter (Dexter-Russell to be exact).  Originally started in 1818 by Henry Harrington, they originally manufactured surgical equipment and shoe knives.  They were the first cutlery manufacturer in the United States.  Fortunately, one of our distributors has expanded their Dexter Kitchen Tools line - like this scraper, and spatulas (all of which we are happy to special order for you). 

Dexter-Russell has a fascinating history - check it out.  Yahoo. Made in America.

  - Linda Czapla