General Information

Serial #

N/A

Part Number

1

Total Parts

1

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

NICKEL PLATED PRESSED METAL BASE, HOUSING & PLUG GUARD/ METAL WIRE ELEMENTS WRAPPED AROUND SHEET MICA CORES WITH SHEET METAL? INTERIORS/ METAL WIRE BREAD HOLDING RACKS/ WOOD KNOB AT ONE END OF BASE/ METAL MFR'S PLATE

Dimensions

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

Length

22.0 cm

Width

10.4 cm

Height

16.6 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

RADIANT

Country

Canada

State/Province

Ontario

City

Grimsby

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 one side, other side is toasted by turning the bread manually. Can toast up to two slices of bread at a time.

Technical

The design of the toaster is functional in nature, consisting of metal parts that are primarily fastened together by screws and rivets. 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 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.4).

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

RECTANGULAR MFR'S PLATE ON ONE END READS: 'DELUXE/ RADIANT ELECTRIC Co. LTD/ GRIMSBY, ONT./ VOLTS 110 NO 3T1 AMPS 6/ H.E.P.C. APPROVAL NO 137'

Missing

ELECTRICAL CORD From CA of 03/16/1994 by Tony Missio: Yes - missing cord

Finish

BASE & HOUSING METAL WITH POLISHED NICKEL FINISH (BREAD RACKS ALSO ORIGINALLY NICKEL PLATED)/ ELEMENT CORES GRAY MICA/ KNOB WOOD PAINTED BLACK/ MFR'S PLATE METAL WITH BLACK BACKGROUND & SILVER BORDER & PRINTING

Decoration

N/A