Jeffrey Taylor was an entrepreneur in Philadelphia in the 1920s. During the Great Depression, homemakers wanted to stretch their food budgets while also making appetizing-looking meals that appeared to have more ingredients than they did. This need was filled perfectly by the cheese grater. Taylor, a cheesemonger, read about Boullier's invention and decided to make his own, by sharpening the holes of a metal shower drain. The invention took off, and helped housewives by making their food appear "greater," hence the name.