General Information

Serial #

N/A

Part Number

1

Total Parts

1

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

PORCELAIN BASE/ METAL WIRE ELEMENTS WRAPPED AROUND SHEET MICA CORES/ CERAMIC? ELEMENT SUPPORTS/ METAL WIRE BREAD RACK/ BRASS CONNECTING POLES

Dimensions

Note: These reflect the general size for storage and are not necessarily representative of the object's true dimensions.

Length

21.5 cm

Width

10.0 cm

Height

16.8 cm

Thickness

N/A

Weight

N/A

Diameter

N/A

Volume

N/A

Lexicon

Group

Domestic Technology

Category

Food processing

Sub-Category

N/A

Manufacturer

AKA

General Electric

Country

United States of America

State/Province

Unknown

City

Unknown

Context

Country

Unknown

State/Province

Unknown

Period

Unknown

Canada

At the time of release of the D-12 toaster, electricity was not yet commonly found within Canadian homes. Toasters and other electrical appliances were typically used in commercial settings, such as restaurants. Electrification of homes started initially through the introduction of lighting, leading to the development of some toaster cords that plugged into lightbulb sockets (Ref.1). In 1917, the two-prong system for electrical plugs was established and standardized across North America (Ref.1), and by the 1920s it became more affordable to bring electricity into the home. Between 1941-1951, the percentage of homes with electricity increased significantly, from 69.1% of homes, to 87.8%, with higher percentages in urban regions of the country (Ref. 2). To encourage further use of electricity in homes during low-peak hours, electric companies in Canada began to encourage use of electrical appliances. These companies targeted women in their marketing, promoting the benefits of appliances to reduce workload in the kitchen. Showrooms were set up across Canada by various electric manufacturers, inviting women to view various electrical appliances (Ref.1). As Canadians were introduced to the benefits of electricity in the kitchen, there was initially higher uptake of small electric appliances, such as toasters and irons, than the larger appliances. Between 1952-1960, the total number of toasters that were manufactured in Canada increased from 198,200 to 278,567 toasters total, or a total value of $1.2 million to $2.6 million (Ref.3). By 1931, 40% of homes across Canada owned a toaster (Ref.2).

Function

To toast bread on one side, other side is toasted by turning the bread manually. Can toast up to two slices of bread at a time.

Technical

The D-12 Toaster was the first commercially available toaster, invented by Frank Shailor and produced by General Electric (Ref.4). Prior to the invention of toasters, toast was typically made by being held over a fire or gas stove. The toaster uses Nichrome, a filament made of nickel and chromium, invented by Albert Marsh in 1905. This innovative material allowed for a heated element that could continue to be reheated after multiple uses, and was quickly adopted for use in many small electrical appliances (Ref. 5). The design is simple, with a porcelain base that housed the wiring and secured the other components. General Electric provided decorated and undecorated models of the D-12. Nichrome is wrapped around mica sheets to create a heating element for the toast, an approach that is used in the design of toaster components to this day. The toaster requires that the user attends to the appliance and turns the toast by hand to ensure even toasting on both sides. Due to human error however, this often led to burnt toast. This design flaw eventually led to the development of the pop-up toaster in 1919 (Ref.4).

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

RAISED PRINTING ON UNDERSIDE OF CERAMIC BASE READS: 'PAT OCT 20 1908/DEC. 28 - 1909' & 'G.E.CO. U.S.A./ TYPE D-12/ A V'

Missing

ELECTRICAL CORD From CA of 03/16/1994 by Tony Missio: Yes - missing cord

Finish

BASE WHITE PORCELAIN WITH TRANSFER DESIGN OF PINK ROSES &GREEN LEAVES/ BREAD RACK METAL WITH PLATED NICKEL? FINISH (WORN)/ CONNECTING POLES BRASS UNFINISHED

Decoration

DESIGN OF ROSES & LEAVES APPLIED AROUND OUTSIDE OF BASE/ GOLD STRIPING ON TOP & BOTTOM EDGES OF BASE