heater
Object
Accession Number
2005.020a-bDescription
a). One electric space heater, "Type 42177". The heater has no switch. It has a patinated copper surface finish. The cast iron body is bolted together. The overall design features open acanthus leaf scroll work. The front facing open cavity of the body 35.5cm W and lined in a copper sheet. Three large cylindrical, vertical frosted white light bulbs provide the heat. Each bulb is 6cm in diameter and 23.5 cm high. They are screwed in through the bottom plate into the electrical assembly beneath. There are four basic sections to this heater: the flat top extends 2.2cm over the front of the body; the top is 40.4 cm long X .5cm H X 20cm W. The upper section is 10cm H; the main body section has the copper reflector and bulbs framed in a 3cmW cast iron frame with an elongated acanthus leaf design; the horizontal front piece of the base is cast in one piece with a cast scrolling design with 'GE’ in the centre, and two feet splayed outward with rounded tips. Bolted to the top front is a label describing the heater as an electric luminous radiator, 6.9 amps, 106-115 volts, manufactured by the General Electric Co., United States, with a patent date of January 10th, 1893. b). black electrical cord (detachable).Narrative
There are several variations of the GE three-bulb heater. This model has a copper flash (patinated) finish. It does not have an on-off switch and has rounded top heating bulbs which are rarer than flat top versions. Heaters of this type were made from 1903 until sometime around 1915. With the development of ni-chrome wire in 1913, copper dish heaters became more desirable and bulb type heaters, such as this one, slowly disappeared.Wall mounted electrical receptacles (plug-ins) were not commonly installed in new houses until the early 20th century. Therefore, electric heaters like this model were plugged into adaptors that screwed into the sockets of ceiling light fixtures.
The electrical cord that came into Craigdarroch's collection with this heater is not original to it. The heater still functions perfectly.
