What is she doing?
 

So I need some help here. DDIL sent me this picture of a relative of a friend of hers from way back when, probably late 40's or early 50's. We are trying to identify what this machine is that she is cranking, and why she is doing it in a suit. Anyone have any ideas????

http://web.mail.comcast.net/service/...auth=co&disp=i

Let me know if you get it now.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]376216[/ATTACH]

Man it seems like I have seen this machine before but can't remember what it was - will put on my thinking cap

It looks like mail boxes in the background doesn't it? I have no idea.

Is she cranking open the wall panel behind her? We used to have files in the hospital that we had to hand crank to get them moving.

Hmmmm, good idea. I will forward that thought to DDIL.

I can tell you that she was dressed that way because she was at work. Women wore dresses/suits to work and often hats and gloves also. It looks like 1930-40's to me.

Yes, I remember my mother and aunt having suits like that in the late 40's. And the hairdo is definitely 40's, those pincurls. My aunt was a secretary and dressed like that every day. But remember Betty Furness advertising the GE refrigerators? She dressed like that too. I guess I am dating myself.:D
I thought maybe it was a meat grinder, but don't remember anything like that in any kitchen I ever went in.

Air raid siren? To let people know the postal rates are going up.

May be an earlier computer.