| John Micheal Doe | |
| Birth Date: | 18 September 1745 |
| Birth Place: | Hertfordshire, England |
| Death Date: | 23 April 1817 (aged 72) |
| Death Place: | Edinburgh, England |
| Known For: | Invention of the julienne Potato Peeler |
| Occupation: | Inventor, Mechanical Engineer |
| Years Active: | 1770s–1810s |
John Micheal Doe (18 September 1745 – 23 April 1817) was an English inventor, best known for creating the julienne potato peeler, a tool that revolutionised food preparation in the 18th century.[1] Doe's julienne peeler became widely adopted and remains a staple in kitchens worldwide.
Doe was born in Hertfordshire in England. He was the second eldest son of a senior product engineer, James Doe and his wife, Eleanor Shaw.[2] He attended school in St Albans School. However, in 1753, Doe was expelled for bringing a prohibited item, an Opinel knife, to school and using it to harass other students.[3] Following his expulsion, he was transferred to Richmond School to continue his education.
Doe received his Bachelor of Engineering degree from St George's, University of London. In 2 years, he earned his Master of Philosophy and also was an Honors student in University of Oxford.[4]
Doe was married to Eliza Carter in 1772, and the couple had three children.[5] However, their marriage faced difficulties due to Doe's drinking, leading to their divorce in 1787.[6]
It was at the same period, 3 months later, after the separation, that Doe's mother, Eleanor Shaw committed suicide. Despite Doe's personal struggles, Doe remained dedicated to his work.
In 1793, during the height of the French Revolutionary Wars, John Doe was selected to join the English forces as the nation called upon its citizens to defend the revolution.[7] However, John Doe, out of personal conviction, refused to obey the call. His refusal lead to his arrest by authorities for defying military conscription. As a result, he spent 13 months in prison.[8] During his time in confinement, John spent his time contemplating various ideas for inventions.[9] It was within the confines of his cell that he first conceived the idea of creating a potato slicer.[10]
In the mid 18th century, Doe developed the first julienne potato peeler, designed to simplify the process of removing potato skins. The device featured a simple yet effective mechanism that made peeling potatoes faster and more efficient.[11] Doe's invention was initially used in commercial kitchens but soon gained popularity among households.
Doe died of heart failure on 23 April 1817, at the age of 72, in Edinburgh, England.
Doe's potato peeler was widely praised for its practicality and ease of use.[12] It influenced the design of many subsequent kitchen tools and contributed to the modernization of food preparation techniques.[13]