As far as Europe is concerned I'd vote for these!
Schrack HLS, the Austrian equivalent of the infamous Zinsco No-Trip breakers!

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At least the ones in this panel refused to trip on dead shorts in 2 out of 3 cases until the 20A slow fuse ahead of the fast 10A breaker blew.

Mechanically they're extremely sturdy, with porcelaine bases. One was lacking the "Off" button though... pretty ugly if you had to turn it off fast.
That's 1960s stuff, one row is hots, the other is neutrals.

edited for size, and to put on ECN server

[This message has been edited by electure (edited 09-23-2006).]