General Information

Serial #

N/A

Part Number

1

Total Parts

1

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

NICKEL PLATED CAST METAL ENDS/ NICKEL PLATED SHEETMETAL HOUSING/ ELEMENTS ON EITHER SIDE OF INTERIOR MOUNTED ON ASBESTOS COMPOSITION MATERIAL LINING WITH SHEET MICA? LAYER SANDWICHED IN BETWEEN/ ASBESTOS LINING ON BOTTOM/ WOOD HANDLES AT EITHER END (ONE ON PUSH-PULL TOAST RACK, OTHER AFFIXED TO FRAME)

Dimensions

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

Length

23.0 cm

Width

10.5 cm

Height

19.0 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

Galt

Context

Country

Unknown

State/Province

Unknown

Period

Unknown

Canada

Around the time when this Canadian-made toaster was produced, electricity was not yet commonly found within Canadian homes. 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).

Function

To toast bread on both sides. A sliding platform holds the bread and is operated manually, sliding into the toaster to be toasted, and sliding out of the toaster when it is ready.

Technical

The design of the toaster is functional in nature, using pieces of bent metal that are screwed together to form a sturdy frame to house the internal components. Unlike most toasters of this time, this toaster is unique in that it allows for toasting both sides of bread simultaneously. A 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 in order to remove the toast when it is ready. 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.4).

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

INCISED LETTERS ON RECTANGULAR MFR'S PLATE AT BOTTOM SIDE READ: 'MANUFACTURED BY/ THE NATIONAL ELECTRIC HEATING Co/ GALT, ONT., CAN./ VOLTS 110. AMPS. 6. No 747/ PATENTED OCT. 4, 1910'

Missing

ELECTRICAL CORD From CA of 04/19/1994 by Tony Missio: Yes - no cord

Finish

ENDS, HOUSING & MFR'S PLATE METAL WITH POLISHED NICKEL FINISH/ TOAST RACK METAL WITH PLATED NICKEL FINISH/ HANDLES WOOD ENAMELLED BLACK

Decoration

TURNED HANDLES AT EITHER END OF TOASTER