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Joined: Oct 2000
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Picked up an old book at a garage sale last weekend. "The Electric Home" by ES Lincoln. From 1936. Scanned several illustrations for the nostalgia forum. In no particular order:

picture 1: a number of outlets and switches: (below)

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picture 2: 3 switches on one yoke: (below)

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picture 3: A method of troubleshooting a circuit that blew a fuse using a light bulb: (below)

[Linked Image]

picture 4: Electric earthworn chaser, AKA widowmaker! I doubt it got UL approved: (below)

[Linked Image]

picture 5: illustration of an overloaded circuit: (below)

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picture 6: service entrance and distribution fuse panels: (below)

[Linked Image]

picture 7: early circuit breaker panel: (below)

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picture 8 Strange switch and outlet combo: (below)

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Picture 9 Wall sconces, then called "bracket". Note the outlet seems blocked by the light switch: (below)

[Linked Image]

picture 10: outlet with indicator light: (below)

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picture 11: switch with indicator. strange positions of switch handles: (below)

[img]https://www.electrical-contractor.net/Nostalgia/E-Home_11.jpg[/img]

Elsewhere this book mentions that the future will have applications for electricity not imagined in 1936. Like the PC or TV or VCRs and such.

Bob (wa2ise)

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 7,520
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Great stuff Bob! smile

That double "L" slot receptacle is curious. Yet another old variation to add to the collection. Presumably it was intended for parallel or tandem blade plugs the same as the double T-slot rather than for a special L-shaped prong plug.

A couple of those recepts (e.g. Pic #10/Fig. 28) also appear to be polarized types. I hadn't realized these were in use in the U.S. as early as this.

Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,691
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I love the instructions about improper use of an extension cord. Notice how socket B (presumably one of those surface-mount things with the triple-tap hooked into it) is being backfed via the cord that goes to socket A (the properly installed one).

Did you add the "Widowmaker" in red type?

Even back then, you had cowboys.... laugh eek

I love the design of the "Floor Outlet" with a metal screw in cover to protect the cord cap that is plugged into the recessed receptacle. It prevents the thing from getting yanked out accidentally or from dirt getting wedged in there.

Why did they discontinue that? frown It seems like a good idea, especially for places like libraries where you don't want the reading table lamps getting unplugged.

Last edited by SvenNYC; 04/03/07 02:48 PM.
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 41
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Nice garage sale find! I love the old books as much as finding old stuff.

Interesting devices, many I haven't seen yet.

And I've always loved that cover plate design.


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