General Information

Serial #

N/A

Part Number

1

Total Parts

1

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

NICKEL PLATED PRESSED METAL HOUSING & PANELS/ METAL WIRE GRILLS/ WIRE ELEMENTS WRAPPED AROUND SHEET MICA CORES/ CERAMIC ELEMENT MOUNT ON UNDERSIDE OF BASE/ WOOD KNOB

Dimensions

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

Length

18.4 cm

Width

10.1 cm

Height

17.2 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

Edison

Country

Canada

State/Province

Ontario

City

Stratford

Context

Country

Unknown

State/Province

Unknown

Period

Unknown

Canada

At the time of the production of this toaster, electrification of homes became more common as electricity was more affordable for Canadian homes. Prior to this, toasters and other electrical appliances were typically used in commercial settings, such as restaurants (Ref.1). 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 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. 4). 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. This toaster features flip-down doors, a functional design choice that protects the user from coming in direct contact with a hot element. 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.5). The toaster is made of metal and geometric in form. Simple art deco styling is shown in the chevron cut-outs on the flip-down doors (Ref. 6).

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

RECTANGULAR MFR'S PLATE ON SIDE READS: 'Hotpoint [LOGO]/ CAT. T10 W 475 V.110/ CANADIAN EDISON APPLIANCE COMPANY, LIMITED./ H.E.P.C. PERMIT NO./STRATFORD, ONTARIO./ NPC MADE IN CANADA/ RD 2[1]'

Missing

ELECTRICAL CORD From CA of 03/17/1994 by Tony Missio: Yes - missing cord

Finish

HOUSING, PANELS & GRILLS METAL WITH POLISHED NICKEL FINISH/ ELEMENT CORES GRAY MICA/ ELEMENT MOUNT BEIGE? CERAMIC/ KNOB WOOD PAINTED BLACK

Decoration

VERTICAL SLOT OPENINGS IN DOORS IN SHAPE OF 'GREATER & LESS THAN' SIGNS