General Information

Serial #

N/A

Part Number

1

Total Parts

1

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

CHROME PLATED PRESSED METAL BASE, HOUSING & PANELS/ CERAMIC ELEMENT BRACKETS AT TOP & BOTTOM OF INTERIOR (BOTTOM BRACKETS ATTACHED TO CERAMIC BLOCK ON UNDERSIDE OF BASE)/ NICKEL PLATED METAL WIRE GRILL/ SYNTHETIC DOOR KNOBS

Dimensions

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

Length

18.5 cm

Width

13.9 cm

Height

20.5 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

Unknown

State/Province

Unknown

City

Unknown

Context

Country

Unknown

State/Province

Unknown

Period

Unknown

Canada

Around the time when this Canadian-made toaster was produced, electricity was beginning to become more common in Canadian homes. Prior to this, 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). This toaster was produced by Canadian General Electric, in Barrie, Ontario. Canadian General Electric was established initially in Peterborough, Canada in 1891 (Ref. 4). In 1945, it was decided that Canadian General Electric would open a facility in Barrie, because of its ideal location and proximity to Toronto. A building permit was obtained on May 9th, 1945, and by mid-January of 1946 toasters among other small appliances were already being produced (Ref 5). The manufacturing facility closed by 1984, and CGE sold their housewares branch to Black & Decker. While the original building now acts as a hub for over 150 small businesses, the facility does continue to receive old toasters that have been mailed for repair (Ref. 6).

Function

To toast bread on one side at a time, metal doors open to hold toast, and are reopened to flip bread manually when toasting other side. Can toast up to two slices of bread at once.

Technical

The toaster is made of metal and geometric in form. Simple art deco styling is shown in the elegant floral cut-outs on the flip-down doors (Ref. 7). Wire 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.8).

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

RAISED PRINTING ON ELEMENT MOUNT ON UNDERSIDE OF BASE READS: 'CGE NO T12/ 650 W 115 V/ CSA APPROVED NO 8084'/ 'GENERAL GE [LOGO] ELECTRIC' INCISED ON BASE AT ONE END

Missing

ELECTRICAL CORD From CA of 03/15/1994 by Tony Missio: Yes - missing cord

Finish

BASE, HOUSING & PANELS METAL WITH POLISHED CHROME FINISH/ELEMENT BRACKETS & MOUNT BLOCK WHITE CERAMIC/ KNOBS BLACK SYNTHETIC

Decoration

DECORATIVE CUT-OUT & INCISED DESIGNS ON TOP & DOORS/ RAISED PATTERN ON DOOR KNOBS