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Ingenium, 1992.2467.001
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OBJECT TYPE: pull/ceiling/single cord
DATE: 1914
ARTIFACT NUMBER: 1992.2467.001

MANUFACTURER: Perkins Electric Switch Mfg. Co.
MODEL: Unknown
LOCATION: United States of America

More Information

General Information

Serial #: N/A
Part Number: 1
Total Parts: 1
AKA: N/A
Patents: N/A
General Description: metal shell, pull cord & parts/ porcelain base/ fabric cord/ hard rubber or synthetic parts

Dimensions

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

Length: N/A
Width: N/A
Height: 6.1 cm
Thickness: N/A
Weight: N/A
Diameter: 6.5 cm
Volume: N/A

Lexicon

Group: Energy-electric
Category: User site
Sub-Category: N/A

Manufacturer

AKA: PERKINS
Country: United States of America
State/Province: Unknown
City: Unknown

Context

Country: North America
State/Province: Unknown
Period: circa 1914+
Canada: An American made switch of a type used in Canadian households. Part of a large & varied collection of over 7500 electrical items acquired & documented by Ontario Hydro in the 1960s. The collection was thought to be the largest & most comprehensive of its kind in Canada & was donated to the National Museum of Science & Technology in 1992.
Function: An electrical wiring device used to make or break a connection in an electrical circuit, specifically in domestic lighting.
Technical: The single-cord pull switch is often considered to be a modern innovation but it was the subject of three patents by C. Browett in 1886 & one by A.P. Lundberg in 1887. However, more great developments occurred in the 1920s & the use of this type of switch was recommended for bathrooms, etc. to reduce the danger of shock (Ref. 3). A very similar switch was offered by Canadian General Electric in its 1904 catalogue.
Area Notes: Unknown

Details

Markings: incised lettering on shell reads "UND. LAB. INSP./ PERKINS 10A. 125V. 5A. 250V./ MADE IN U.S.A."/ raised lettering on underside of base reads "THE P.E.S. MFG. CO. PATENT OCT. 25 1910
Missing: appears complete
Finish: partially glazed white base; metallic shell; black cord & parts
Decoration: N/A

CITE THIS OBJECT

If you choose to share our information about this collection object, please cite:

Perkins Electric Switch Mfg. Co., Switch, circa 1914, Artifact no. 1992.2467, Ingenium – Canada’s Museums of Science and Innovation, http://collection.ingeniumcanada.org/en/id/1992.2467.001/

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