Vintage Aluminum Ice Cube Tray with Lever Release - Australian Patent 216,507

This is a vintage aluminum ice cube tray with lever release mechanism, featuring an Australian patent from the mid-20th century. A nostalgic piece of kitchen history from the pre-automatic ice maker era.
Construction & Features:
• Heavy-gauge cast aluminum construction
• Rectangular tray with rounded corners
• Internal dividers creating 18 individual ice cube sections
• Innovative lever-operated release mechanism
• Metal handle/lever 
• When lever is pulled, internal mechanism tilts and separates ice cubes from tray

Patent Information:
Australian Patent 216,507 dates this tray to the 1950s-1960s era, when lever-release ice trays were a popular innovation that eliminated the need to twist or bang trays to release ice cubes.

Condition:
• Shows age-appropriate wear and patina
• Some oxidation and discoloration to aluminum (typical for vintage aluminum)
• Light scratching and surface marks from use
• Mechanism is functional
• Lever and spring mechanism intact
• No major dents or damage

Historical Context:
Before automatic ice makers became standard in refrigerators, lever-release ice trays like this were considered a modern convenience. They were a significant improvement over the old metal trays that required twisting or tapping to release frozen ice cubes. This Australian-patented design represents mid-century innovation in everyday household items.