The Encyclopaedia Britannica (1902), page 264.
Internet Archive Book Images / flickr / Public Domain
A biscuit brake (aka biscuit break) is a machine used in the American south to help take the drudgery out of making beaten biscuits.
It looks like the rollers on an old wringer washing machine, but the rollers have teeth or spokes on them. You turned a hand crank to make the rollers turn.
There were many variations. Some had rollers that were nickel-plated or steel-coated.
More elaborate biscuit brakes that beat the dough could be very noisy.
Many people made their own in the 1900s from converted washing machines.
Biscuit brakes are now found only in antique stores.