At Home...in a Century of Progress: 1920-1950
Objects Electric toaster, 1939
Electric toaster, 1939

Made by Manning-Bowmann and Co., Meriden, CT
Chromium-plated metal, wood

This "turnover" or "flip-flop" toaster was received as a wedding present by Helen Blake of Kankakee, Illinois. Although toasting one side of a slice of bread at a time, this appliance was designed to turn the toast over as the doors were lowered. Such toasters, costing from $1.29 to $2.21 in 1939, were "on" as long as they were plugged in and had to be watched carefully. A more expensive model, costing $2.98, had settings for light, medium, and dark toast, and a bell to signal that the toast was done and the current had been shut off.

Gift of Helen Guimond Blake, Kankakee, IL (1990.14.2)



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