I'm pretty certain the idea of the SlapChop has been around nearly as long as bakelite.
My grandmother had something called the "Lady's Rotational Cutter" before I took it apart as a young teenager. Bakelite casing, set of four knives loaded on a spring that then revolved on a fly wheel when it came back up after you pressed the button... Sounds a shitload like a slapchop to me.