Mosteller Manufacturing Company
Dosier H. Mosteller was an ice cream scoop inventor and at least the namesake of the Mosteller Manufacturing Company of Chicago Ill in the early 1900s. Dosier Mosteller received several scoop patents including his first and, in my opinion, his most unique design that was manufactured as the Model 80 (turning bowl) scoop. What makes this design so unique and popular with collectors is that when operated the bowl will rotate and the wiper that releases the ice cream remains stationary. This opposite operation while interesting seems to be of little value to the task.
Shown above in this collection are all of the bowl sizes known by me, for the model 80. On the far right is a size 40 that I do not believe was made by Mosteller.
Mosteller was also known for model 77. This model has a relatively easy-to-remove nut atop the shank area that allows the removal of a cover plate exposing a gear set mechanism. This operation would facilitate the cleaning and lubrication of the mechanism. The gear set was designed as a single unit, and the operation is quite simple.
Note the differences in the handles of the three Model 77 scoops below.
This example is marked on the top (Mosteller Mfg. Co. Pat. 1910) I have not been able to find this patent.
I believe that this was a patent purchased by the Mosteller Manufacturing Co. as I have seen several examples of the same scoop with the name “B-E-SS-T.” Other, more common, examples have the Mosteller Manufacturing Co. name clearly labeled.
The Mosteller model 78 and its sister scoop the model 79 were from a Mosteller patent and were a more traditional style. Model 78 has a round bowl, and the model 79 has a conical bowl. These are both very nice scoops that were well made as were all of the Mosteller offerings.
Model 78 had some variations in the wiper removal mechanisms that may have been developed over time or may have been available as options. I really don’t know which but the differences are interesting to me. The model 78’s below are all size 20 examples with different wiper removal schemes.
Look at the wiper removal mechanism atop the bowl.
This variation has a less complex wiper removal scheme.
This unit has a latch that swings away allowing the wiper to come out.
Model 79 was, in my opinion, an elegant design that was very similar to other scoops from this era.
Model 79 size 6……note the swing away latch that allow the wiper removal.
Model 79 size 8
Model 87 was another departure from traditional scoop styles from Mosteller. This one must have been considered a modern design and I really doubt that any market research was completed. The handle and operator feel clumsy in my hand and the serving is just a blob of ice cream with no particular shape. I once saw a listing for these in 5 bowl sizes. I have only seen 3 sizes.
Model 87
Model 87
I purchased the following scoop for its unique design of a totally enclosed wiper shaft. I had not seen another like this one. There are no markings and I put this in my collection under the unknown maker category.
While patent surfing one day I found this scoop patented in 1915 by inventor Dosier H. Mosteller. I was quite happy to know the origin of this scoop, and it remains one of my favorites.
Unknown model Mosteller from 1915