Apple peeler, made from castings of gray iron, USA 1878

The collection contains about 2500 predominantly small objects. Its beginnings can be dated back into the period soon after founding the Museum in 1908. However, a principal step forward was made by taking over the collection of technical expedients and devices for household and various crafts from the former Czech Industrial Museum in 1944. The founder of this museum was Czech patriot Vojta Naprstek. In 1848, he fled to USA where he came across with and advanced technique of aids and equipment for households and various crafts. The collection is unique in providing an outline of technical outfit of households since the second half of 19th century.
It currently comprises kitchen machines and different facilities and tools, cooking devices and flat irons operated on spirit, kerosene, gas and electricity, heating devices and equipment for warm water preparation, kitchen mixers (American from the 20s of this century and a development series of domestic machines), electric vacuum cleaners, washing machines, freezers and refrigerators. Worth particular attention from among older objects is a set of machines for peeling and processing fruits. Another interesting field is represented by washing machines where the series of about forty exhibits provides a uniform outline of gradual improving of these products from wooden hand-driven devices, via American washing machines from the 20s to the types used in Central Europe till the income of automatic machines. The time horizon of most objects is limited by the 60s of this century.