General Information

Serial #

3259

Part Number

1

Total Parts

2

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

NICKEL PLATED PRESSED METAL HOUSING, LEGS & PLUG GUARD/ PRESSED METAL GRILL WITH SHEET MICA ON EITHER SIDE OF CROSS-PIECES/WOOD HANDLE/ 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

29.1 cm

Width

20.3 cm

Height

8.8 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

National Electric

Country

Canada

State/Province

Ontario

City

Toronto

Context

Country

Unknown

State/Province

Unknown

Period

Unknown

Canada

Around the time of release of this Canadian-made toaster, electricity was not yet commonly found within Canadian homes. Toasters and other electrical appliances were typically used in commercial settings, such as restaurants (Ref. 1). Electrification of homes started initially through the introduction of lighting, leading to the development of some toaster cords that plugged into lightbulb sockets. In 1917, the two-prong system for electrical plugs was established and standardized across North America, 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). Companies such as B.C. Electric encountered a surplus of electric generation, particular during periods of low-usage. To encourage further use of electricity in homes, 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 generally higher uptake of small electric appliances, such as toasters and irons, than the larger electric 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 one side of bread at a time.

Technical

The National Electric Heating Company titled this type of toaster as a ‘toaster stove’, likely for its horizontal heating element, in contrast to their ‘upright toaster’, which had a vertical heating element (Ref.4). A nichrome-style 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. 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 cabriole legs are inspired by the Modern French style that was popular in Canada during the mid-1800s. This styling was typical of the Victorian period, when the style of furniture reflected an interest in rococo-revival styling. Characteristics of the furniture during this period included organic and curving forms, such as these cabriole style legs (Ref.6).

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

RECTANGULAR MFR'S PLATE AT CENTRE FRONT READS: 'National ELECTRIC [LOGO] TOASTER STOVE/ MANUFACTURED BY/ THE NATIONAL ELECTRIC HEATING CO. LIMITED/ TORONTO, CANADA/ VOLTS 110 AMP'S 5.7 SERIAL NO. 3259/ CATALOGUE NO. 180/ H.E.P.C. APPROVAL NO. 122'

Missing

From CA of 03/17/1994 by Tony Missio: No - Complete

Finish

HOUSING, LEGS & PLUG GUARD METAL WITH POLISHED NICKEL FINISH (GRILL ALSO MOST LIKELY NICKEL PLATED ORIGINALLY)/ HANDLE WOOD PAINTED BLACK/ MFR'S PLATE BRASS WITH BLACK BACKGROUND & BRASS PRINTING

Decoration

CABRIOLE-STYLE LEGS