Toastrite Electric Toaster
date: label: date made
content: ca 1927
notes: label: Description
content: Electric two-slice toaster, green and pinkish-white lusterware "porcelain" (The porcelain used was not “true” porcelain, but Onyxide China, which would withstand the heat). Square-shaped body with curved corners and short curved walls on either side where bread could “perch”. No doors or handles. Mica heating units are visible, wrapped in metal tape. Power cord attaches on side to two metal prongs, cord is missing. Sits on four squat, curved feet, black. Underside is marked: “TOASTRITE/110 Volts 500 Watts/The Pan Electric Mfg. Co./Patented CLEVELAND, O.”. Rusting on interior heating elements, some overall discoloration, prongs on side are discolored, yellow enamel on underside of base.
label: Description
content: According to the catalogue card, the collector’s tag at the time of acquisition listed the date of this toaster as 1927.
label: Description
content: Maker is the Pan Electric Company, Cleveland, Ohio. Further research is needed, as nothing can be found on this company.
label: Description
content: Other colors offered were a Blue or Pink Willow pattern, pearl blue, orange, yellow, and Mother of Pearl.
label: Description
content: An ad for the Toastrite line of toasters reads:
label: Description
content: "All the brightness, charm and lively zest of these vivid times are expressed in the colors of this attractive appliance. Its design harmonizes perfectly with the finest table appointments. Every detail, even to the heater cord in Rayo Silk, covered in colors to match the toaster, is exactly in keeping with the modern spirit of grace and beauty. Only the best materials are used in its construction.
label: Description
content: The Onyxide China Electric Toaster, available in a variety of colors, offers an opportunity to match tableware and decorations. It is made of Onyxide China, is tremendously sturdy and withstands heat. The Onyxide China Electric Toaster is so simply made that it cannot get out of order. The heating element is practically everlasting and it makes delicious toast instantly. Only a damp cloth is needed to clean it."
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: place made
content: United States: Ohio, Cleveland
topic: label: Subject
content: appliances
label: Subject
content: Food Culture
label: Subject
content: Household Tools and Equipment
setName: label: See more items in
content: Home and Community Life: Domestic Life
label: See more items in
content: Food
label: See more items in
content: Domestic Furnishings
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Gift of Joyce Barth & Florence E. Scuderi
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: 1992.0338.32
label: catalog number
content: 1992.0338.32
label: accession number
content: 1992.0338
label: collector/donor number
content: 544
objectType: label: Object Name
content: toaster
label: Other Terms
content: Toaster; Electric
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: porcelain (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: metal (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 6 5/8 in x 8 1/4 in x 4 1/4 in; 16.8275 cm x 20.955 cm x 10.795 cm