General Information

Serial #

N/A

Part Number

2

Total Parts

11

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

CERAMIC OPENWORK BLOCKS MAY ALSO CONTAIN ASBESTOS

Dimensions

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

Length

3.3 cm

Width

3.0 cm

Height

20.0 cm

Thickness

N/A

Weight

N/A

Diameter

N/A

Volume

N/A

Lexicon

Group

Domestic Technology

Category

Environment control

Sub-Category

N/A

Manufacturer

AKA

RAY GLO

Country

United States of America

State/Province

Ohio

City

Athens

Context

Country

North America

State/Province

Unknown

Period

THIS TYPE OF HEATER PROBABLY USED C.1920S+

Canada

PART OF A LARGE COLLECTION OF DOMESTIC AND LIGHTING APPLIANCES, AND MEASURING INSTRUMENTS ACQUIRED FROM CONSUMERS' GAS COMPANY LTD. THESE ITEMS ILLUSTRATE THE PRODUCTION, TRANSFORMATION, DISTRIBUTION AND USE OF GAS RESOURCES IN CANADA OVER MORE THAN 150 YEARS. (REF. 1)

Function

PLACED WITHIN AN EXISTING FIREPLACE STRUCTURE, IT IS USED TO RAISE THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IN A ROOM.

Technical

EXAMPLE OF FIREPLACE HEATER, DESIGNED FOR USE IN HOMES WHICH DID NOT HAVE CENTRAL HEATING EQUIPMENT BUT RELIED INSTEAD ON MULTIPLE FIREPLACES FOR WARMTH. THE HEATER WAS SIMPLY PLACED INSIDE THE FIREPLACE HEARTH: GAS SUPPLIED VIA THE FITTING IN THE LOWER RIGHT HEATED THE CERAMIC GRATE AND 'VITALITE' BLOCKS. THE HEATER COULD BE CONNECTED TO AN EXISTING FLUE VIA THE OPENNING IN THE BACK, OR SEALED AND SIMPLY VENT INTO THE HEARTH. FIREPLACE HEATERS LIMINATED THE NEED FOR KINDLING OR CHIMNEY CLEANING OR MAINTENANCE AND PRODUCED NO SMOKE OR ASHES. TEMPERATURE COULD BE ADJUSTED AND GAS TURNED OFF WHEN NOT NEEDED. (REF.2)

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

Block has "RAY-GLO/ Vitalite" moulded in lower front

Missing

N/A

Finish

CERAMIC BLOCKS ARE OFF-WHITE; SOME ARE DISCOLOURED, PRESUMABLY FROM HEAT.

Decoration

N/A