At Seattle, I encountered a machine processing salmons in MoHAI (Museum of History and Industry). The name of the machine is Iron Chink. It was invented at the beginning of the 20th century when there were many Chinese working in the fish processing facilities. The name "Iron Chink" sounds racial and the inventors or manufacturers were trying to market the machine as a viable replacement for Chinese labor.
The machine is described
http://digitalcollections.lib.washington.edu/cdm/ref/collection/imlsmohai/id/3458
In 1902, machines started replacing the Chinese cannery workers who butchered and canned the fish. The machine, called the Iron Chink, slit the fish open, cut off the fins, and removed the guts. With this machine, workers could process fish 50% to 75% faster than they could by hand. At the same time, this invention put many Chinese laborers out of work.
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