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Gerstner tool chests are were designed for machinists and toolmakers to hold their measuring tools and instruments. They are mush imitated to this day.

Several reasons have been given over the years for the mirror located in the lid of the chest including a way for the machinist to clean up before going home.

The company was founded in 1906 long before there was much attention paid to workplace safety and there certainly was no OSHA looking out for employee safety.

The most plausible reason is that during the course of the workday a machinist could easily get a metal chip or sliver in his eye. These small bits of metal had to be removed immediately. Iron or steel would immediately begin to rust because of the salt in tears.

With the mirror in the tool chest, the machinist could turn immediately and see his eye to remove the chip. Nowadays you'd take him to the emergency room.

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17y ago

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