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Electric Toasters Made in the U.S.A.
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Rochester ToasterOver a hundred years old, this toaster has NO MOVING PARTS!A cord set plugs in on one short side and has a turned wood knob on the opposite side to offer some support. A bread slice is perched on either side. Each slice has to be turned manually to toast the opposite side. It has a large top where one might keep a small pot of coffee warm while plugged in. Rochester Toaster
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Westinghouse Turnover ToasterAbout a hundred years ago, when electricity in the home was replacing gas light, Westinghouse deployed a batllion of ladies as home demonstrators to households recently wired with electric service. Their job was to show the housewife the marvels of making electric toast and those of an electric iron.The one is an earlier model because it sports a name badge citing the Copeman Patents. (See my links page to learn more about the Copeman patents.) This one is still in good shape and makes good toast. It comes with a detachable cord set. Turnover Toaster
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1920 Thermax ToasterAccording to Charles Fisher in Early American Electric Toasters, the frame of this toaster was originally designed by Alonzo Warner, then modified by and patented by James Lamb at Landers, Frary & Clark. It continued in production for at least fifteen years. Later models had different doors, and a slightly different top.This model was made 1919 to 1923, for those early adopters of technology who had their homes wired for electricity. Many people still used gas light and kerosene lamps. Mind you, the 19th Amendment was ratified about this time allowing women to vote. The doors are spring loaded and will accept thick material such as an English muffin or hefty crumpet. The design features the economical three panel design for the heating element. It still makes toast and I found I got better results by turning the slice by 90 degrees halfway through. 1920 Thermax Toaster
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Universal Toaster with Swinging CagesThis is one of my favorite toasters because of the elegant mechanism that allows you to turn each cage to toast two sides of the slice without handling the bread. Load in some bread, toast one side, then turn the cage to toast the other side. Cages measure 4.25 inches square and just shy of an inch wide.The construction is nickel over brass and steel. The base is weighted and the sides are fitted with turned wood handles. An early 1920s catalog page shows it with the earlier model with a rack on the top. And, I've found it an ad in the Saturday Evening Post from 1929 so it was sold for quite a few years. This one is in very good condition. It is clean and working and comes with a detachable cord set. Universal Toaster with Swinging Cages
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Universal Toaster with Chromium PlatingThis is the same type of toaster as above but it's a slightly different model, this one with chromium plating. The usual construction is nickel over brass and steel. But this one has chromium plating over steel. It was made in the early days in perfecting the chrome plating process.It has cages that swing 180 degrees to toast both sides. This one is in good condition with speckling throughout to the chrome plating. It is clean and working. This variation is quite uncommon and may be suitable as a gift for a toaster collector. Universal Toaster with Chromium Plating
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1927 ToasterThis toaster was manufactured in November of 1927, as the Holland Tunnel opened under the Hudson River connecting New York and New Jersey. The George and Ira Gershwin musical "Funny Face" opened with Fred and Adele Astaire who danced through over two hundred performances. And "Connecticut Yankee" opened at the same time, a Rogers and Hart musical based on Mark Twain's work.This toaster was made in Connecticut where high-quality small electrical goods were being manufactured by stamping steel, plating and polishing then assembly by human hands at a line of workbenches. It has vertically laced spiral coil heating wire with porcelain insulators. This one is in good condition for being nearly 100 years old with damage to one door handle. It includes a cord set which plugs into the side of the toaster. Of course, it makes pretty good toast. If you are looking for a small, simple toaster that is easy to keep clean, this model is a good choice. 1927 Toaster
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The Estate Electric ToasterAdvertised in 1924, this early electric four-slice toaster for the home has four cages that simulaneously rotate 270 degrees.Ten years later, this company was making high quality electric stoves, with not only an electric clock but a built in radio. Load in four slices and toast the first side then rotate to toast the other side of all four slices. This one is in good to poor condition and shows corrosion to its nickel plating. (The company spent more money on the engineering than in the quality of the plating, so most surviving machines are in similar condition.) The original cord has been replaced. The Estate Stove Company, Hamilton Ohio
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