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/ WIRE ELEMENTS WRAPPED AROUND SHEET MICA CORES/ CERAMIC ELEMENT BASE MOUNTS (PART OF CERAMIC BLOCK ON UNDERSIDE OF BASE)/ METAL WIRE GRILLS/ SYNTHETIC KNOBS ON PANELS/ BRASS MFR'S PLATE

Dimensions

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

Length

20.3 cm

Width

12.7 cm

Height

20.2 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

Renfrew

Country

Canada

State/Province

Ontario

City

Renfrew

Context

Country

Unknown

State/Province

Unknown

Period

Unknown

Canada

When this toaster was being produced, electricity was becoming 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). The Renfrew Electric Company Limited was a Canadian manufacturer of electric appliances, opening their facilities in 1913. They released a line of products under the name of ‘Canadian Beauty’, stamping their appliances with a maple leaf and running campaigns such as ‘Canadian Beauty Fortnight’ to promote the brand (Ref 4.).

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, the triangular body a common shape of toasters made at this time. Elegant styling is shown in the floral patterning on the doors and base of the toaster. 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.5)

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

RECTANGULAR MFR'S PLATE AT END OF BASE READS: 'RENFREW ELECTRIC/ PRODUCTS LIMITED/ RENFREW, CANADA./ 110 VOLTS/ 5.5 AMPS./H.E.P.C./ APP. NO. 103/ CANADIAN No 409 BEAUTY [LOGO AT CENTRE]'

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 CORES GRAY MICA/ ELEMENT MOUNTS WHITE (NOW DISCOLOURED) CERAMIC/ PANEL KNOBS BLACK SYNTHETIC/ MFR'S PLATE BRASS UNFINISHED WITH RED BACKGROUND & BRASS PRINTING

Decoration

INCISED & EMBOSSED DESIGN CONSISTING OF SCROLLED LEAVES, FLOWERS, DROPS & LINES AT CENTRE OF DOOR, SIDES & TOP