Showing 1556 items matching "electrical"
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National Communication Museum
Equipment - Ericofon, Ericsson, 1950s
The Ericofon was the first commercially successful telephone which incorporated both handle and dial within a single unit. Manufactured by the Swedish company Ericsson, and available for lease from the Postmaster-General’s Department, the streamlined design has been praised for anticipating the cordless phone, and later mobile phone, by several decades. The ‘cobra’ design was formulated in the 1940s and manufactured in the 1950s; Australian cases were likely made in the L M Ericsson Broadmeadows factory. Although new thermoplastic technology allowed for a bolder aesthetic than traditional black Bakelite telephones, Ericofon sales accounted for only 4% of the market and it never enjoyed popularity with Australian subscribers. The design did, however, spark a conceptual shift whereby the telephone “was seen more as a consumer product than merely an extension of telephony” (Ericsson).Clear plastic telephone casing inside which are coloured electrical wires. Telephone has a broad base that contains the dial, mouthpiece and cord with cream plastic coated wall plug attached at rear. Handle tapers in a curve to a stylised squared earpiece. Dial underneath is a rotary dial with red disconnection button in the centre. telephone, design, domestic, ericsson, industrial design -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - BASIL MILLER COLLECTION: TRAM PASSING IRONBARK MINE, MT. KORONG ROAD, LONG GULLY, 1950's
BHS CollectionBlack and white photo, No 2 tram passing Ironbark Mine on Mt. Korong Road, (now Eaglehawk Road ) Long Gully. Tram has two signs on side - ''You'll cook better electrically' and 'Wedding Album Photography, Leo A. Hughes, Eaglehawk'.Written on back in blue pen - 4'' wide, 85#.'4" wide, 85#'basil miller, long gully, ironbark gold mine, bendigo tramways -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Booklet - S.E.C.V, Electric Frypan Cooking
The State Electricity Commission of Victoria's Home Advisory Service prepared this booklet to advise and inform women on the use of cooking with an electric frying pan. The SECV sold electrical appliances at their showrooms throughout regional Victoria, one of which was located at Mt Beauty.The SECV constructed the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme employing many workers. They built the township of Bogong and Mt Beauty and assisted with the infrastructure to support the influx of population. In the Mt Beauty shopping centre, one of the shops was the SEC Showroom which sold electrical appliances and gave advice on their uses. This booklet gives advice and information on electric frypans.Purple, black and white 16 page booklet with a cardboard cover and held together with 2 staples. The red title is at the top of the cover and below, in black, a plate, knife and fork with a purple and black lace background.Cover: Prepared by the Home Advisory Service of the SECV.state electricity commission of victoria. cooking. electrical appliance. food. electric frypan. -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Clothing - Pyjamas, Army issue
Army pyjamas as issued to soldiers in training during the Vietnam conflict. This set was worn by Craftsman Russell Alex Walker, No: 3789575 during his service in Royal Corps of Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, 17th Construction Squadron, Vietnam 1967-68.Blue, white and red striped pyjamas issued by the Australian Department of Defence. Jacket is long- sleeved with a collar, and fastens with 4 plastic buttons. Long pants fasten with a cord.royal corps of australian electrical and mechanical engineers., 17th construction squadron, pyjamas, raeme, walker, army uniform -
Unions Ballarat
Postal unions and politics : a history of the Amalgamated Postal Workers Union of Australia, Waters, Frank, 1978
History of the Amalgamated Postal Workers Union of Australia. The union ran from 1926-1974; it has subsequently gone through a number of name changes including the Communications Electrical Electronic Energy Information Postal Plumbing & Allied Services Union of Australia.Relevant to the history of unions in Australia, particularly the Amalgamated Postal Workers Union of Australia.Paper; book. Front cover: Fawn background with blue, red and brown text; sketch of a building façade.Front cover: author's and editor's names and title.btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, unions, amalgamated postal workers union of australia, communications electrical electronic energy information postal plumbing & allied services union of australia, politics, labour movement -
Bendigo Tramways (managed by the Bendigo Heritage Attractions)
Book, Brush Tramcar Engineers, Brush Electric Street Cars, Early 1900's
This book contains examples of various types of electric tramcars for street services, they are presented in the pages, together with some illustrations of standard trucks. The Tramcar Works of the Brush Electrical Engineering Co. at Loughborough was the largest in the United Kingdom during the early 1900's.Only copy of this book known Burgundy with Gold embossed lettering on a hard cover book, printed paper pages.The Electric Supply Company of Victoria Ltd.tram, bendigo, brush, tramcar. -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Stevenson Screen, Thomas Stevenson, ca. 1910
Stevenson screens were first introduced in Australia in the 1880s and were widely installed by 1910. The screens have been used to shelter and protect thermometers and other meteorological instruments from rain and direct heat while the holes and double-louvre walls allowed air to flow around them. Sometimes other meteorological instruments were included in the weather stations, so there were different Stevenson Screen sizes. This authentic, original Stevenson screen was previously owned by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology and was used for many years for weather readings at the Cape Otway Light Station in southwest Victoria. The Lighthouse Keepers recorded the readings for minimum and maximum temperatures at 9 a.m. every day from January 1865 until April 1994. The equipment was sheltered in a Stevenson Screen from 1902 until April 15 1994, when the mercury thermometer was replaced by a platinum resistance probe within an Automatic Weather Station (AWS). This Stevenson screen is one of the two screens that then became redundant. The other Stevenson screen was kept to display to visitors. Lightkeepers were no longer required at the Cape Otway Light station either, due to the automated system. The meteorological instruments donated with the screen were used for measuring temperature and humidity. They are mounted on a metal bracket that fits across the screw holes on the screen’s internal frame. The glass-covered Relative Humidity (RH) sensor was made by the renowned precision instrument maker, Rotronic AG of Switzerland, which was founded in 1965. The firm made its first electronic temperature and humidity instrument in 1967. Meteorological records have been collected in Australia from the 1800s. The records were collated, published and used as a basis for weather forecasts. Many sectors, such as maritime and agriculture industries, have relied on these figures for making important decisions. The quality and placement of the meteorological instruments used to measure temperature and humidity are of utmost importance for accuracy. In early colonial times, there were no national standards for meteorological instruments that would allow for accurate figures and comparisons. Once the Bureau of Meteorology was established (around 1908 to 1910) the department installed Stevenson screens throughout Australia, many at lighthouses and light stations, and the measuring instruments were standardised. The Stevenson Screen was named after its inventor, Scottish Civil Engineer Thomas Stevenson (1818-1887) who was also the father of Robert Louis Stevenson, author. Stevenson developed the small thermometer screen around 1867. It had double-louvred walls around the sides and a top of two asbestos sheets with an air space between them and was thickly painted with a white coating that reflected the sun’s rays. This design was modified in 1884 by Edward Mawley of the Royal Meteorological Society. Standards were set for the locations of the screens and instruments, including their distance above ground level and the direction the door faced.Stevenson screens played a significant part in providing a standardised shelter for all meteorological instruments used by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology from about 1910 until 1994. The readings from the instruments gave the meteorological statistics on which weather forecasts throughout Australia were based. This Stevenson screen was used locally at Cape Otway, along the Great Ocean Road in southwest Victoria, so contributed towards our local forecasts and weather warnings.Stevenson screen, original, from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology’s weather station at the Cape Otway Lighthouse. The screen is a white wooden cupboard with a slanted cover raised above the top. The top has ten drilled ventilation holes, and the sides and door are made of downward-slanting double louvres. Two brass hinges join the door to the lower edge of the screen and a metal fitting at the top edge allows for a padlock closure. The screen is supported on four short legs, each with a hole drilled from side to side for fitting to a frame. Inside the screen are two wooden frames fitted with hooks and screws. The floor has three boards; one across the back and one across the front at the same level, and a board wider than the space between these boards is fitted higher, overlapping them slightly. Inside the screen, a pair of electronic instruments with short electric cables is mounted on a metal bracket with drilled holes in it. One of the instruments is a Relative Humidity (RH) probe. It is 26 cm long and is a glass tube with a filter on one end and an electrical connection on the other. It has inscriptions on its label, showing that was made by Rotronic AG, Switzerland. The other instrument is a Resistance Temperature Device (RTD) thermometer. It is 22.5 cm long and has a narrow metal probe joined to a hexagonal metal fitting. A brass plate on the front of the screen has impressed inscriptions. The screen is Serial Number 01/C0032, Catalogue Number 235862.Stamped into brass plate "CAT. NO. / 253862 / SERIAL NO. 01/C0032" On instrument’s electrical fitting; “CD2” [within oval ‘+’ above S] “Serie693 op65 / 220/380V~16A” On instrument’s glass; “rotronic ag” “SWISS MADE” “CE / CH-8303 / Bassersdorf” Symbol for [BARCODE] “ART NO MP 101A_T4-W4W” “POWER 4.8.30VDC“ “OP. RANGE: 0-100%RH/-40+60° C” “OUT H 0-100% 0-1V” “OUT T -40+60°C -0.4..+0.6V” “SERIE NO 19522 009”flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, cotton region shelter, instrument shelter, thermometer shelter, thermoscreen, thermometer screen, measuring instruments, meteorological instrument, weather recording, weather station, lighthouse equipment, light station equipment, stevenson screen, marine instruments, mercury thermometer, platinum resistance probe, aws, automatic weather station, rotronic ag, swiss made, meteorological device, weather forecast, weather prediction, weather records, meteorological forecast, meteorological record, australian bureau of meteorology, bureau of meteorology, bureau, bom, relative humidity, rh, relative humidity probe, resistance temperature device, rtd, thermometer, temperature, humidity, cape otway, cape otway lighthouse, cape otway light station, rotronic, switzerland, swiss instrument, thomas stevenson, double-louvered walls, edward mawley, royal meteorological society, 01/c0032, serial number, cat. no. 235862, serial no. 01/c00323 -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Document - Form/s, Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB), "Progress Certificate - Preston Workshops - Form R18", 1920's and 1930's
Form - duplicated - "Progress Certificate - Preston Workshops - Form R18", giving a summary of work undertaken by Preston Workshops. Has space for the Electrical Shop, Air shop, Body Shop, Truck shop, and Paint shop. Form used to advise that works car 19 had a loose tyre 2C, advised by South Melbourne Depot 3-12-1970. Tram 19W. Electrical shop cleaned and checked both controllers with dates of test, air shop - air and sand ok, and truck shop put notes in as well, not sure what they mean, though the axle is 33" by Thomson's & Co and it was fitted with GE 241 motors. Noted it was test run 21-12-70. Item was located within Reg Item 3912.trams, tramways, preston workshops, forms, tramcar trucks, axles, wheels, maintenance, advertising trams, tram 19, tram 19w -
Federation University Historical Collection
Document, Apprentice Commission of Victoria Technical School Term Report on Apprentices, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1954, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1954
Carbon copies of a foolscap form with Ballarat School of Mines apprentice name, attendance, examination results and general remarks and Victorian Railway Reports. The originals were signed by the Head of Department and Principal. Some heads of departments signed the copy including. H. Goldsmith. Subjects include Fitting and Turning and Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Mechanics. fitting and turning, mechanical engineering, trades, apprentices, school report, h. goldsmith -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Photograph - Black & White Photograph/s, CLC, early 1950's?
Photograph, Black and White, Birney No. 217 on the Russell St route, Footscray in Barkly St , Cnr Commercial road, just to the west of Geelong Road. Note the tram and bus stop signs on the pole with the traffic lights, and the bus in front of the tram. One of the buildings has an "Ealing's radio electrical sign" Early 1950's?In ink on the rear: "MMTB X217 on Russell Street route at Footscray. / In Barkly St Cnr Commercial Road, immediately west of Geelong Road. / /5" Has KSK number CLC36 in to right hand corner.trams, tramways, footscray, birney, tram stops, bus stops, russell st, barkly st, buses, tram 217 -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Plaque - RAEME Plaque
RAEME Corps was first established in 1942 when the Ordnance Corps and the Service Corps were combined. The royal ascent was granted in 1948. Ref: www.raeme.org.au The Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME) is a technical corps tasked with the maintenance of the Army's modern hardware and equipment. RAEME personnel are represented in most Army units, with the representation varying in size from one or two tradespersons, to small groups of 20 to 30 tradespersons, to large maintenance units with over 150 personnel and a totally integrated military and civilian workforce. The Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers corps motto is ‘Arte et Marte’, which is Latin for ‘With Skill and Fighting’. Ref: www.army.gov.auVarnished Wooden BoardRAEME Badge Jan Zyla George Zyla 2020 -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Wrench Coleman, circa 1950
The 1950's saw a revolution in small appliances for use in the average household. This hand held wrench was provided exclusively for the Coleman self heating kerosene (KVHS 0347A) iron and used for the regular changing the kerosene used in it. The iron was used before and during the electricity supplies available from the Kiewa Hydro Electricity Scheme. These irons remained in use within regional rural areas that had limited or unreliable electrical reticulation. Kerosene supplies were cheaper than electricity but also more inconvenient than electric. Electrical appliances become cheaper to buy and maintain in the later part of the 1900's and the now older kerosene iron was faded out.This wrench was required to open the fuel container which stored kerosene in the Coleman hand iron(see KVHS 0347A). This item was part of the maintenance requirement of this particular hand iron. In the 1950s and later the Kiewa Valley was still a relatively isolated region which was home to rural properties and small settlements. The availability of electricity and or the financial means to afford new types of electric hand irons ensured that older and sometimes less efficient ironing remained for an extended period covering the 1960s to 1970s. Kerosene products, such as this kerosene iron was a cheaper method for farm based domestic and other rural activities requiring a heat source. The use of kerosene as a heat/light source was able to be supplied in bulk and able to be used when floods severed vital roads into this region. The supply of electricity was in summer time subject to interruption from bush fire damaged wooden poles carrying the electrical cables. Self sufficiency by rural populations was the backbone of survival(use of this wrench was a part of rural life). The ability to store energy sources "on the farm" was a prerequisite of isolated regions, such as the Kiewa Valley, circa 1950s.This item is a flat cast iron wrench, which has been specifically made for KVHS 0347A (kerosene iron). The wrench has four specific forms cut into the steel which fit firmly around their targeted nut and other fixtures. Also see See KVHS 0347B- Instruction sheet; and KVHS 0347D Fuel can.ironing, iron maintenance tool, domestic appliances, household -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Booklet - S.E.C.V, How to Prepare & Store Frozen Food
The SECV's Home Advisory Service prepared this book to advise customers on the use of home freezers.They also assisted with advice and information on other electrical appliances. The SEC had Showrooms in regional Victoria including one at Mt Beauty where this booklet came from.The S.E.C.V. constructed the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme employing many workers. They built the townships of Mt Beauty and Bogong and assisted with the infrastructure required to support the influx of population. In the Mt Beauty shopping centre, one of the shops was the SEC Showroom which sold electrical appliances and gave advice on their use. This book gives advise on the use of freezers.Booklet with 22 pages held together with two staples. The cover has an orange and then blue title at the top and below, a coloured picture of fruit and vegetables. state electricity commission of victoria. food. freezer. cooking. electrical appliance. -
Phillip Island and District Historical Society Inc.
Photograph, Cowes, Phillip Island, 1938
Butcher outside his shop in Thompson Avenue. To left is part of next door electrical shop. To the right is a flight of steps to the side of a two storey building. Alongside the aproned Butcher, is a bicycle in the foreground. Across the street is the trunk and shadows of a mid-sized tree.Butcher's shop in Thompson Avenue, Cowes.Cowes - Jan 1938local history, photographs, buildings - historic, butcher shop, black & white photograph, mary robb -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Administrative record - SEC Tramcar record - tram 24, State Electricity Commission of Victoria (SECV), 1937 to 1957
Lists the work carried out by the SEC on tram No. 24. Includes notes on the tram itself, body, brake gear, electrical, and truck. The tram was effectively written off in 1954 after running away and entering the Bucks Head Hotel - body sold in 1957.Demonstrates the SECV practice of maintaining records for the work on the tramcars in Ballarat.Foolscap ruled sheet with stamp tram car number and work category, typed or handwritten entries.tramways, tramcars, ballarat, sec, tramcar maintenance, records, tram 24 -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Document, Electric Railway Journal, "Melbourne adopts three-door car as standard", 1925
Article provides the operating background to the new type of bogie car then being built for the MMTB. Gives the design basis of the tram and has a side elevation of the tram. This type was known as the "W class" tramcar. Refers to the Electrical Engineer (item 6922) as the source of the drawingYields information about the Melbourne W class tram in 1925.Photocopy of an article titled "Melbourne adopts three-door car as standard" from the Electric Railway Journal of the USA, Vol 67, No. 10, page 402. tramways, tramcars, mmtb, melbourne, w class, design of new trams -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Photograph - Black & White Photograph/s, 1940
Black and White print contained within the Wal Jack Bendigo and Geelong Album, see Reg Item 5003 for more details. Photo of Geelong No. 3 in Moorabool St. 1940. No details of photographer on rear. Tram has the destination of East. In the background is a sign for Berger Paints and F&M Ritchie? Wal's album notes provides the date of 1940. Printed on Kodak Velox Paper. On rear in ink "84 Geelong Tramways, State Electricity Commission, No. 3 One of their original trams I believe. They ride very steady and smooth. Duncan and Fraser body. The Brush Electrical Engineering Co. Ltd, Loughborough England, long wheel base truck."trams, tramways, geelong, moorabool st, tram 3 -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Booklet - S.E.C.V, Cooking for Christmas
The State Electricity Commission of Victoria's Home Advisory Service prepared this collection of recipes. They also assisted with advice and information on the best use of electricity in the home. The S.E.C. sold electrical appliances at their showrooms, one of which was located in Mt Beauty where this booklet came from.The S.E.C.V. constructed the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme employing many workers. They built the townships of Bogong and Mt Beauty and assisted with the infrastructure required to support the influx of population. In the Mt Beauty shopping centre, one of the shops was the S.E.C. Showroom which sold electrical appliances and gave advice on their use along with recipe booklets for cooking on the new electrical appliances.Small 12 page booklet with soft cover and two staples binding it. Cover has coloured photos of plates of food with the title in green at the top.recipes. christmas. state electricity commission of victoria. sec home advisory service. electrical appliances. -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Domestic object - Kerosene Lamp, early 20th Century
Kerosene lamps were used as a main source of lighting throughout Australia prior to the supply of domestic electrical services. This was obviously later in many rural areas. This lamp was used in the home of Mrs. Laura Flower nee Sommer wife of Mr. Stanley Flower of Wodonga.This lamp is representative of the lamps used throughout Australia prior to the introduction of domestic electricity supplies. It was used in the home of a Wodonga resident.This item has a cast iron base in a pyramidal shape with the four sides having an identical leaf and flower design. A piece of brass attaches the base to a clear glass bowl. The bowl contains a white wick. The brass wick holder has an external knob for regulating the light intensity. There is more brass between the bowl and the mantle which is made of plain glass.Inside the base of the lamp: an Rd No which is uncleardomestic appliances, kerosene lamp -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Administrative record - Tramcar history, "Car 43"
Sheet lists the work undertaken on SECV Ballarat tramcar 43, from its receipt from Geelong as No. 40 in March 1956, until Oct. 1970. Includes Body, brake gear, electrical and truck notes, most likely compiled from item 9163.Yields information about the maintenance history of tram 43 in Ballarat.Typed quarto sheettramways, tramcar maintenance, records, secv, ballarat, tram 40 -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Photograph - Tram 14 - launch - BTM, Benjamin Boehle-Mitchell, 30-3-2025
Digital image of BTM tram 14 at the time of the launch following an extensive overhaul and replacement of wiring, air piping, electrical systems and repainting on 30-3-2025. Photo by Benjamin Boehle-Mitchell. See Fares Please! April 2025 for details of the work done.Demonstrates the work of the BTM in the refurbishment of tram 14 by the BTM 2024/2025.Digital image of a colour photographtramcars, btm, tram 14 -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - KANGAROO FLAT GOLD MINE COLLECTION: ENGINEERING FEASIBILITYY STUDY CENTRAL DEBORAH GOLD MINE
40 page engineering feasibility study, with plans, for the development of the Central Deborah Tourist Mine, prepared by John Connell-Mott, Hay and Anderson, Hatch, Jacobs, consulting engineers, dated February 20th 1981. Enlargement of the shaft, lift installation, ventilation, dewatering, electrical installation are discussed. Latest costings range from $689,000 to $790,000.bendigo, gold mining, central deborah gold mine -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Pamphlet, West Gate Bridge Progress Report, 1977 - 1979
.04 - .07 ; 4 photocopies of early aerial shots of Kitchens, footy ground and surrounding areas - probably 1920s .08 - Page from Emerald Hills and Sandridge Times 22.02.1979, has two articles (a) relating to Claude Butcher "The last of the clip-clop Milkos". (b) relating to the retirement of the PMCC Electrical Engineer, Jack Andersonengineering - bridges, local government - city of port melbourne, industry - manufacturing, built environment - recreational facilities, built environment - industrial, lower yarra crossing authority, claude butcher, jack anderson, pmcc electricity supply, port melbourne football ground, j kitchen & sons pty ltd, west gate bridge -
Uniting Church Archives - Synod of Victoria
Equipment - Projector, Society for Visual Education, c1949
This slide projector, which was purchased new in 1949, could be used on mains power or a car battery. It was used by Deaconess Hilda Fisher (Graham) as she travelled to promote the work of the Methodist Home Mission in Victoria and the inland of Australia.Tri-purpose SVE projector in its carry box. Picturol Model DD.115 volts, 150 Watts. Serial No. 12710. Includes two two inch semi-automatic slide changers, one in its original box; four six volt globes and electrical leads for connection to a car battery. Five pieces in all.methodist inland mission, deaconess hilda fisher, methodist deaconess, women's home mission league, methodist home mission -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Document - Specification, Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB), "Z3 class tram - Melbourne, Australia", c1979
Specification or report - 5 A4 pages, photocopied titled "Z3 class tram - Melbourne, Australia". Gives the detail of the tramcar, classification, developers (builders and suppliers), description, history, contract price, warranty, vehicle performance, dimensions, suspension, propulsion, braking, electrical and control systems and body specifications and a list of work done at Preston Workshops.trams, tramways, z3 class, commonwealth engineering, comeng, aeg, duwag, bogies, mmtb, new trams -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Document - Report, Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB), "Report to Employees, 1980/81", 1981
MMTB Report ( headed METRA) - A4 full colour when folded, 3 fold - titled "Report to Employees, 1980/81", giving notes on passenger numbers. service, vehicle fleet, track construction, electrical improvements, employment and training, staff facilities, Melbourne and its trams and a summary of the year's operations. Has many photographs of activities.trams, tramways, mmtb, employees, operations, tramways, buses, metra -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Functional object - Radiator
Early form of home heating and because of the copper dish was considered one of the better models|Manufacturing History Museum Victoria|Commentary: Australian manufacturing history Philip Wollen|Many years ago, when I was an ambition young man, I took over a company called Hecla.|This business was formed in 1872, long before Federation was even contemplated. The company established a rich tradition in the Australian manufacturing industry. The prodigious product range included kettles, mixers, toasters, hairdryers, urns, pie warmers, bain maries, and electric blankets for the domestic and commercial market. During the war it even manufactured parts for aircraft. It was one of Melbourne's largest employers.|Hecla was one of the pioneers in TV advertising, led by icons like Bert Newton, Bobby Limb, Evie Hayes and Graham Kennedy who ad Jibbed his way through irreverent and unscripted naughtiness about Hecla electric blankets and foot warmers. The slogan was 'By Hecla, its good.'. One can imagine the fun Bert and Graham had with their double entendres.|In the 60's Hecla entered into a partnership with General Electric and expanded rapidly. The massive factory, on the corner of Alexandra Parade and Chapel Street overlooking the Yarra River was a Melbourne landmark.|The business was formed by one of the scions of Melbourne industry. Mr Marriott was a metal worker of some repute, building the lights in front of Melbourne's Parliament House, the first steam car, the sideboard at the RACY Club, and the first factory to run on electricity.|By the time I acquired the company it was a shadow of its former self, incapable of competing with cheap Chinese imports. Wandering around the warehouse late one night I discovered a large, boarded up storeroom which appeared not to have been opened in decades.|Over several months I combed through the room, unearthing a treasure trove of products from a bygone era. Dusty files, engineering drawings, wooden prototypes, patent records, and correspondence from distributors on every continent.|I decided to track down an old man, Ray, long retired after 50 years with Hecla. He was not well off financially and welcomed the paid work. It turned out that he had done his apprenticeship with the company and there wasn't much he didn't know about it. He had been personally involved in the manufacture of almost every type of product on the Hecla smorgasbord's of products.|So for over 2 years he methodically assembled a mini museum of Hecla products, painstakingly polishing them and ensuring they were in working order. He attached the original brochure of each product and their respective warranty cards. For him it was ,a labour of love. For me it was a fascinating, if vicarious journey, into Australia's manufacturing past.|My colleagues complained that I was wasting money on his salary, our time and factory space on stuff that should have been dumped years ago. I tried to explain that I was merely a steward of the Hecla tradition, not merely an owner. Besides, the look on Ray's face convinced me that there was another dynamic at work. One I could see, but didn't really understand.|After he Passed away I faced a dilemma. What to do with this 'museum' of Hecla history. Nobody was interested.|So I kept the 'stuff' in private storage, hoping that same day someone would be interested in it. And the years passed.|Finally, I had a brainwave. Perhaps the Melbourne Museum would be interested. It was a long shot but I made the call. I had a nagging suspicion that they would think I was simply trying to get them to relieve me of paying for this huge collection to be taken to the tip.|To my surprise they said they would be willing to take a look, I secretly hoped that they would take the whole collection and not leave me with an incomplete jumble of appliances that I would indeed have to take to the tip.|On the appointed day, four serious looking young people showed up. Armed with digital cameras, note books and poker faces they spent four hours analysing the goods and the supporting materials. I asked them if they had any interest and their response was decidedly non-committal. It depends on the acquisitions committee, I was told. I was disheartened and packed up the exhibits to go back into storage.|Imagine my surprise when months later they telephoned to say that they had researched the history of the company, and yes, they would like to take the whole collection. And a truck with 'handlers' would arrive the following day to pick it up. Two years ago all Hecla's archives left me forever and went to the Museum's warehouse.|Well, to my delight I received a call yesterday inviting me to a private viewing of the exhibition at the Melbourne Museum. These young historians had meticulously assembled an impressive display of Melbourne's industry and technology going back to the 1800's. They thanked me like a significant benefactor when it is I who should have thanked them.|I saw the excitement in the eyes of these young people who had somehow managed to dig out and assemble memories from Australia's past. If this is the standard of care that the curators of the Melbourne Museum show all their exhibits, our history is in safe hands.|Their meticulous work took me back to those years long ago when I saw an old man lovingly assembling and cataloging a lifetime of his work.|It took me back to the day when Australians actually made things. Long before we became a nation of quarrymen. Before we became animal-factory 'farmers'. Of a time when products didn't break down, or dumped and replaced before the warranty expired. When men like Mr Marriott cared deeply about what their hands produced.|It reminded me of the call I received from an elderly lady in Tasmania asking for the electrical element for a Hecla K7 kettle. I searched the archives and called her back. The K7 was produced decades earlier and we no longer carried that spare part. She was quite disheartened and told me her kettle had finally 'given up the ghost' and she couldn't bear to part with it. It was a present from her husband on their wedding day 45 years ago. Her final words were 'they don't make them like that, do they? By Hecla they were good.'|I'm glad I followed my instinct and put Ray back on the payroll all those years ago..|I like to think Mr Marriott would have been pleased.Pedestal radiator. Base is cast iron with three feet with rose design on each. Pedestal supports a copper spherical reflector plate which has an electrical connection box at its base. The connection box is joined to the pedestal by a screw and nut to enable the reflector to be tilted. The element is cone shaped and is in the centre of the plate. The element is protected by a wire guard.Hecla Firedomestic items, heating -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Lamp Table Kerosene, pre 1950s
This particular lamp was made for the dinner table or "parlour". This was the most effective indoor lighting before electrical lighting was introduced in the 1940's. These table lights would have still been used after this time as emergency lighting during electrical power shortages (outages). These emergency lighting lamps, including candles, were eventually replaced by battery power. The Kiewa Valley was supplied by electricity well before many other rural regions due to the State Electricity Commission constructing the Kiewa Hydro Electricity power turbines (late 1930's to mid 1950's). Petrol and diesel generators were used in other rural regions before state wide electricity was available.The significance of this kerosene lamp to the Kiewa Valley is that it provides the proof that before the Hydro electricity scheme was established in the valley, householder and commerce relied on candle/kerosene power. Although at certain times before battery and solar energy became the night time lighters the sole source of lighting was candle power and kerosene power. The supply of both however was still required by most of the population by supply from city and larger country town suppliers. This nearly fully glass made table lamp(kerosene) has a large glass bowl/basin like kerosene storage unit with a glass circular finger handle (similar to a ordinary cup). Formed single star like patterns (50mm apart) encircle the centre of the bowl. On top of the bowl sits the metal (brass) wick holder with a small wheel protruding out one side for adjusting the wick length(increasing or decreasing the strength(regulating) of the amount of light projected. Four prongs rise from the circular base light fixture holding the windproof and refractive glass "pot belly" shield. lamp table, kerosene lamp, household lighting (non electrical) -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Mincer Meat, mid 1960's
This meat mincer was born in a period where hand operated mincing and blending machines were only available for household mincing meats and blending ingredients up to the 1960's. Electrical kitchen based whitegoods were rare in areas where the connection to electricity was intermittent or not at all.This kitchen aid is a very significant item in the Kiewa Valley before suitable electrically operated mincers became available and constant reliable electrical connections were installed. The Kiewa Hydro Electricity Scheme provide the stable supply of electricity which made most of the hand operated mincing machines obsolete. However large mincers for bulk supplies were still required eg. kitchens for SEC workers during the 50's and 60's.This heavy industrial type meat mincer(cast iron) has a top "rounded feeder cup" with a mincer screw blade at the bottom. A winder handle rotates the screw like mechanism to mince and express solid pieces of meat at the other end. There is a clamp below the main structure which permits the fastening of the hand driven mincer to a table or solid ledge. The hand grip of the handle is made from wood and fashioned like a clothes peg.On the rounded feeder bowl "MAJOR" and on the winder handle "A POPE PRODUCT"hand operated meat mincers, meat grinders, kitchen utensils -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Pamphlet, ACESA - Chart of Committees and Bulletin No. 1, 1924
Provides information on the work of the Australian Commonwealth Engineering Standards Association that was founded in 1922 and later became the Standards Australia who celebrated 100 years in Oct. 2022. Work at the time was on railway, tramway, electrical and other items such as cement. Note the entry for Trolley Wheel Grooves.Demonstrates the work of the Australian standards body in the formation of tramway and electrical standards.Set of two pamhlets or documents published by the Australian Commonwealth Engineering Standards Association 1 - fold out sheet - 6 sections, titled ACESA - Chart showing development committees - Sept. 1924 2 - four page - ACESA - Bulletin No. 1 31-10-1924acesa, standards, tramways, electrical engineering, rails, power engineering, tramway rails