Hecla produced a wide range of appliances for domestic use, beginning with heaters and later branching out to a wider range of kitchen appliances Hecla was established by Clarence William Marriott, a young Melbourne metal worker. He began manufacturing Australia's first carbon filament electric radiators in 1899. He originally worked for his father James Marriott who commenced business in Melbourne as an art metal worker in 1872 and was, in 1907, appointed as the official art metal worker to the Victorian Government producing items including the ornate iron gates and gas lamp standards outside Melbourne's Parliament House. With the invention of nickel chromium wire after 1900, C.W. Marriott began making more efficient heating elements using this new material in 1916. After being influenced by the eruption of Mount Hekla in Iceland, on 19 December 1918, Clarence registered the brand name "HECLA" with an erupting volcano as its logo. The company Hecla Electrics Pty Ltd was officially registered in 1922. In 1928 the company adopted the advertising slogan, 'By Hecla, it's Good'. The Hecla range rapidly expanded to include electric heaters and radiators, electric foot warmers, electric kettles, ceramic & metal electric jugs, immersion hot water elements, electric fans, electric coffee percolators, electric toasters, electric grillers and stoves, electric irons and electric frypans, clocks and curling wands. Electric blankets were introduced shortly after WWII.In 1930, a controlling interest in Hecla Electrics Pty Ltd was acquired by General Electric Corporation. Clarence William Marriott died in June 1967 in Melbourne, Victoria.This item is representative of a common domestic appliance used throughout Australia. It was manufactured by a pioneering Australian company.A small chrome steel toaster manufactured by Hecla Australia. It has a door on either side which flips down to insert or remove a slice of bread on each side, Each door has two black Bakelite knobs. The electric element is placed down the centre of the cavity. A detachable electric cord is included.240 Volts, 600 Watts. Cat. No. T4 Submitted to Electrical Approval Board Ref Application A1/AD01 SECV 240 Volt 600 Watt MANFED. IN AUSTRALIA SOLID BRASSelectrical appliances, hecla corporation australia, clarence william marriott, domestic appliances

Silver coated electrical toaster with rack on top. Both sides pull away to allow bread to rest next to the element. Four knobs and four vents each side. Includes cord.W550 V GR CT3domestic items, cooking, toaster

The Sunshine Electrix toaster is a classic piece of Australian industrial design, manufactured in Sunshine, Victoria, during the mid-20th century. This toaster was manufactured C1930. These toasters are not just appliances—they’re artifacts of Sunshine’s manufacturing legacy. Nickel plated toaster with porcelain handles and feet with hinged metal flaps. Electric cord is missingSunshine Electrix Sunshine Vic Cat No ST1 240V 600Wsunshine pottery, sunshine electrix toaster

Metal toy toaster with orange enamelled sides. Levers on both sides.toys, general

The Boyd family recalls this frying pan being used, but not sure of where it was located. The kitchen drawer where this frying pan is currently located was the toaster drawer. The drawer has a power point in it. "The drawer was pulled out and the drop down front lowered for toasting. When shut, no toaster was in sight! In the bottom of the drawer, at one side, there used to be a small slot for sweeping out any dropped bread crumbs."Electric frying pancookware, walsh st appliances, robin boyd

Melchoir Bajada's photographs of the S&DHS Society 50th Anniversary activities3215.01 - Sunshine and District Historial Society 50th Anniversary Photographs - Room Setup 3215.02 - Sunshine and District Historial Society 50th Anniversary Photographs - Room Setup 3215.03 - Sunshine and District Historial Society 50th Anniversary Photographs - Room Setup 3215.04 - Sunshine and District Historial Society 50th Anniversary Photographs - Room Setup 3215.05 - Sunshine and District Historial Society 50th Anniversary Photographs - Room Setup 3215.06 - Sunshine and District Historial Society 50th Anniversary Photographs - Room Setup 3215.07 - Sunshine and District Historial Society 50th Anniversary Photographs - Room Setup 3215.08 - Sunshine and District Historial Society 50th Anniversary Photographs - Room Setup 3215.09 - Sunshine and District Historial Society 50th Anniversary Photographs - Room Setup 3215.10 - Sunshine and District Historial Society 50th Anniversary Photographs - Room Setup 3215.11 - Sunshine and District Historial Society 50th Anniversary Photographs - Room Setup 3215.12 - Sunshine and District Historial Society 50th Anniversary Photographs - Room Setup 3215.13 - Sunshine and District Historial Society 50th Anniversary Photographs - Room Setup 3215.14 - Sunshine and District Historial Society 50th Anniversary Photographs - Room Setup 3215.15 - Sunshine and District Historial Society 50th Anniversary Photographs - Room Setup 3215.16 - Sunshine and District Historial Society 50th Anniversary Photographs - Room Setup 3215.17 - Sunshine and District Historial Society 50th Anniversary Photographs - Room Setup 3215.18 - Sunshine and District Historial Society 50th Anniversary Photographs - Room Setup 3215.19 - Sunshine and District Historial Society 50th Anniversary Photographs - Room Setup 3215.20 - Sunshine and District Historial Society 50th Anniversary Photographs - Room Setup 3215.21 - Sunshine and District Historial Society 50th Anniversary Photographs - Room Setupsunshine & district historial society

This fork was made by a member of the Conway family of Wodonga. It was used for making toast over an open fire well before modern toasters become widely available. It demonstrates the ingenuity of early settlers and pioneers before the advent of modern appliances and services. This item demonstrates the ingenuity of earlier pioneers and settlers to adapt to their living conditions and improvise from their available resources and environment.A hand-made wire toasting fork. It has three prongs and the handle is twisted with a loop at the top for hanging. It is made from fencing wire.hand made utensils, kitchen ware, pioneer skills

Gives details of the fares, transfers, luggage or parcels, lost property, times of each tram on the Newtown, West Geelong, East Geelong, Chilwell, Eastern Park, Belmont,, North, Dated Nov. 1937. Has adverts for SEC domestic appliances eg toasters, refrigerators and hot water.Yields information the 1937 tramway services in Geelong and SECV advertising domestic appliances.Printed booklet - was centre stapled - part of two timetables included within one cover. One loose sheet.secv, tramways, geelong, timetables

List of equipment for setting up Holmbush with prices, not including items bought from Thomson's or under terms of Contract. Including prices and applicable sales tax. Included items such as teapots, irons, toasters, buckets, cutlery, brushes, carpet sweeper, trays, garden tools, rugs, mattresses, pillows and linen. A record of written correspondence regarding purchasing furniture and items for the first hostel established by Legacy in 1943.List of equipment and prices for Holmbush on white quarto copy paper x 4 pages, with black type, two hole punched.Tick marks or crosses in pencil alongside some items.holmbush administration, residences

This bowl is a classic piece of Australian domestic appliance history, known for its distinctive ceramic body and colors. The Sunshine Porcelain Potteries made many of items including electric jugs, toasters, lamps, bowls & electrical insulators. Many of these bowls were a jug prior to the top section being cut off.A round shaped bowl cream in colour with matted green patten design with ten grooved lines running from top to the base. The bowl is very smooth and has a clear proof glazed to shine.Sticker with number 8 on bottom could possibly be a previously collector's ID mark or sales marker.sunshine pottery

Over the years, Clarke & Smith retained the method of using a 'tapete' to store audio material, but changed the players to reflect improvements in technology (both audio and housing). This 'toaster' style model used a combination of components made at it's English factory and overseas suppliers. However compact discs were beginning to evolve and organisations, such as RNIB, wanted more versatility over playback machines.Plastic rectangular cream coloured audio player with buttons for navigational controls, power cord and 5 buttons (b/c 1010150)Clarke + Smithaudio equipment, clarke and smith

Centre pages show a map of the system and the sections. The extension to North Bendigo is yet to be constructed. Gives times for trams leaving the city or the terminals for the routes and for the Eaglehawk route, leaving Long Gully Bridge. Has four SECV Advertisements within the book for hot water, ovens - cookers, toasters and electric fan heaters. Three copies held. See item 5356 for a digital image of the same document with a photograph of Len Smith of Geelong loading a pram into a Birney tram.Provides details of 1940 tram services in Bendigo.Forty-page booklet, with orange lightweight covers, saddle-stapled, SECV Provincial Tramways with the title "Official Time Table Bendigo June 1940". Has address if Hargreaves St Bendigo on bottom of the cover. Two copies held.bendigo, timetables, secv

Yields information about the Bendigo Tram services.Digital image or copy of the SEC "Official Timetable Bendigo June 1940", 22 image files - 44 pages, giving details of the fares, transfers, luggage or parcels, lost property, times of each tram on the Quarry Hill, Eaglehawk, Lake Weeroona and Golden Square for both directions and Monday to Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Has a number of advertisements for SEC home equipment, cookers, toasters, refrigerator, electric radiators and hot water. In the middle page is a map of the Tramway Routes, which has been hand drawn to shown North Bendigo and the depot location. Inside the rear cover, on a sheet headed "Memorandum" is a photograph, taped in of a conductor loading a pram onto a Birney tram. Under the photograph is in ink "Len Smith (Geelong)" See item3127 for an original copy and pdf scan. trams, tramways, bendigo, timetables

Megger as the device was called, is in fact its brand name. It is a device that supplies a DC (direct current as per car batteries) voltage to enable testing of electrical apparatus. This particular device produces 250volts DC when the handle is turned vigorously. If an electrical device, such as a kettle or toaster, blew a fuse or tripped a circuit breaker, when switched on, then it must be checked electrically before any more use. Following the repair of the faulty item a megger would be used to check if either of the AC 240volt plugs leads were touching the metal case (earth). The output leads of the megger would be connected with one to the earth (metal case) and the other to each of the power connections in turn. A good megger reading of 50,000 ohms (resistance) would enable the device to be returned to service. A reading of zero ohms resistance would mean that it would again blow a fuse, and was therefore unsafe to use. In the electrical industry e.g. the former State Electricity Commission, a megger would be used to test lots of similar item in sequence. Because of the vigorous job of winding the handle, two persons were often used to save time. One would crank madly whilst the other shifted the leads. This particular megger is of a small voltage, but other meggers are bigger and have a few ranges of DC voltages able to be selected. The optimal megger for large Generating machines was motor driven megger. This was applied to the device being tested for a duration of approximately 30 minutes with reading of the resistance taken at regular intervals.All equipment belonging to the State Electricity Commission of Victoria was labelled with a metal plaque attached to it. The SECV constructed the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme in the Upper Kiewa Valley and on the Bogong High Plains. The scheme began in 1938 and finished in 1961 when this megger was used and also possibly later as the SECV remained to maintain and operate the Scheme. This megger is of significance in relation to the advancement of technology.A rectangular box in dark brown bakerlite casing. It has an agent's plaque fixed to the left of the face and on the right is the marker's recessed stamp. In the middle in a transparent window so the level of ohms can be read. The front also has two recessed fixing knobs in black. On one side is a crank handle with a knob that lifts up and is turned vigorously to create the voltage. The back has four recessed screws and four small leather pads. There is a hole on each side to insert wires. There are two copper insulated wires. The SECV Plaque states: State/Electricity Commission/of/Victoria/ Electrical Engineer's Section/ No.1747 The Agent's Plaque states: H. Rowe & Co. Pty Ltd/Melbourne & Sydney/Sole Agents/in Australia for/Evershed & Vignoles Ltd Maker's states: 500 volts/Megger/Regd Trade Mark/Made in England/Patent No/400728electrical meters, electrical equipment, fuses, safety, state electricity commission of victoria, mt beauty, bogong village

Double-sided A5 size advertisement for public auction under instructions from the owner on Monday, September 23, 1935 on the property - seven room brick residence with frontage 456 feet by approximately 280 feet and contentents of dwelling fully listed over 4 pages. Agent - J.B. McAlpin, Ringwood, opp. station. Phone Ringwood 7; after houres 236. Auctioneer - ED. Haughton & Co., 379 Collins Street, Melbourne. Phone Central 4101.Contents of Dwelling List - includes: DINING ROOM - Dining Room Suite - 6 pieces; Oval Blackwood Dining Table; Blackwood Sideboard; Axminster Carpet, Occasional Table hand carved; Oak Trays; Seascape, Landscape and other Pictures; 2 Marble Vases; Marble Monkey and 3 other Small Ornaments; Ash Tray and Poker; One Pair Stencilled Curtains. Two Large Vases, 1 with floral design; Salad Bowl and Servers; One Dozen Dessert Knives; Nine Stainless Teaspoons (new); Plated Vases; Plated Jam Dishes; Plated Cream Bowl; Silver Plated Cake Dish; One Pair Plated Shell Butter Dishes; Lino Border. LOUNGE ROOM - 2 Pictures and 1 pair with Circular Frames; Floral Jardinere and Pot Plant; Cabinet Gramophone "Singola"; Records; Player Piano "Cable"; Piano Stool; 31 Rolls; Roll Cabinet; Quantity of Music; Music Case, Leather; Portable Gramophone "Decca"; Floral Design Jardinere; Wicker Occasional Table; 2 Wicker Chairs; Cane Lounge Settee; Blackwood Bookcase; 9 Volumes Universal Encyclopedia; 10 Vols Children's Encyclopedia; Floral Vase; Black and Gold Vase; One pair Plated Vases; Ash Pan; Lino Border (Lounge Room); One Carpet, green 13.6 x 10.6; One Cushion; Hall Stand; Pedestal; Floral Design Jardinere; Painting on Canvas (Landscape); Hall Runner Carpet 25 feet; Hall Lino 29ft 5 in.; Five Door Mats (small). FIRST BEDROOM - Arm Chair (Leather); English Oak Dressing Table; English Oak Wash Stand Marble Top; Toilet Set (Four pieces); Silk Fire Screen; Blackwood Occasional Table; Black and Gold Vase; Pair China Vases; Pair Glass Vases; Single Glass Vase; One Kewpie Lavender Bag; Bedroom Lino 15.6 x 13.6. SECOND BEDROOM - Arm Chair (Leather); Dressing Table; Wash Stand; 3 Piece Toilet Set; One Vase (Pink Cameo Design); Two Ornaments (one round); Bedroom Lino 13.5 x 12.10; 3 Pictures; 2 Pairs Curtains (applique, stenc'ld); Pair Curtain Poles. THIRD BEDROOM - Lino approx 14ft x 10ft; Two Green Mohair Mats; Pair Pictures (White frames); One Picture ("The Mourners"); Picture ("The Wanderer Found"); Small Picture; Wicker Chair. FOURTH BEDROOM - Duchess Chest 5 drawers; Corner Wardrobe and Curtains; One Single Bed & Wire Mattress; Single Bedding; Lino on floor 14ft x 6ft 6in.; Occasional Table; 3 Pictures; Two Door Mats; Hall Runner (Carpet) 21ft. BREAKFAST ROOM - Two Wicker Chairs; Cushion; Brown Cushion; Four Vienna Chairs; Jardinere; Kerb (Wooden). 3 Pictures; Oil Painting (Canvas); 2 Pictures; Lino 14ft x 14ft; Brown Table Cover; Fruit Set; Robur Tea Pot; Plaque; China Biscuit Barrel; Glass Fruit Bowl; Pair Pickle Jars and Stand; Wooden Inkstand; Pair Ash Trays; Two Marble Vases; Glass Vase; Electric Jug and Electric Toaster (practically new); Picture; Cushion; Pair Lace Curtains; Curtain Rod; Three Lace Curtains; Brass Curtain Rods (3); Lino in Vestibule 10ft x 8 ft; Lino in Kitchen 12.6 x8.6; Coal Scuttle; Two Small Tables (1 Baize Cover). STORE ROOM - Briquette Grate; Three Coir Mats (one new); Three Small Door Mats (new); Glass Fire Screen; 2 Alm Pot Stands; Steel Pot Stand; Lady's Bicycle; 2 Electric Radiators (one large); White Cabinet; Stretcher Bed; Large Cot with Wire Mattress; Kerb; Fender and Irons; Lino on floor 12ft x 12ft; Lino in Storeroom 6ft x 6ft; Three Large Window Blinds; Clothes Horse; Dressmaker's Fitting Stand; Dressmaker's Bust; Window Display Bust; Blouse Stand; Small Display Stand; Meat Cover (Metal); Leather Portmantau; Leather Kit Bag; Four Large Wooden Drawers; Picnic Basket; Mattress, Bolster and Pillow; Cot Quilt; One Long-handled Feather Duster; Feather Duster; Wicker Lounge; Cane Soiled Linen Basket; One New Washing Tub; Copper Preserving Pan; Lino in Laundry 8 x 6 approx; Carpet Sweeper; Small Jardinere; 2 Shopping Baskets; Kitchen Safe; Kitchen Table; Three Buckets; 1 Horse Rub patent (prac new); Wooden Pot Plant Stand; Bird Cage and Stand; Pair Steps; Pair Small Steps; Metal Meat Safe; Wooden Safe; Hand worked Table Cover; Pair Poplin Silk Curtains (new); Leather Table Centre. VERANDAH - 12ft Shelving with doors; 35ft Shelving; Wooden Stand; Axe Stand (wooden); Nine feet Wooden Shop Fittings; Small Filing Cabinet; Three Window Frames & Glass; 38 Pot Plants Fernery; 9 Hanging Baskets Fernery; Electric Shop Sgn Storeroom; 2 Small Electric Shop Signs Storeroom; 2 Garden Sprays; Doll's Pram and Doll; Two Boxes Paint and Slate; Crystal Radio Set; New Canvas Blind & Roller 6ft.; Electric Light Reflectors (two); Two pieces of Painted Baize; Small Vice; Sprinkler; One Gallon Tin of Spray Oil; 2 Packets of "Aresto"; Two Hurricane Lamps; One Pair Spring Balance Scales; Small Pair Spring Balance Scales. WASH HOUSE - Pair Heavy Tracers (2); Pair Reins; Back Band; One Tug; Pair Hames; One Pair Neck Bands (2); Four Manger Balls; Pair Knee Pads; Kicking Strap complete; Leather Head Stall; Collar Pad; Knife Board and Tin Polish; Fork Cleaner; Foot Spray Pump. TOOL SHED - One Stewart Horse Clipper; Approx 120ft Ribbed Hose; 100ft ½in Hose; Child's Scooter; Tin Box; Ferret Box; One Tool Box; Tomato Hoe; Sprinkler; Two Large Augers; Large Watering Can; Medium Watering Can; Small Watering Can; Wooden Tool Chest; Rope, Tackle and two Pulleys; Six pieces of Lino; Three Small Canvas Blinds; Lawn Mower 14in.; Lawn Mower 12in.; Grass Catcher; 8 Pieces Garden Tools; Barrow; Quantity of Timber; Quantity of Flower Pots; Quantity of Wire; 4 Egg & 1 Fowl Crates Feed Room; 1 Gallon Demijohn Feed Room; Quantity of Shelving Feed Room; Quantity of Cement, Lime; Six Small Doors; Roll of Perforated Cardboard; Boot Rack; Coat Rack; 3 Automatic Sanitary Disinfectant; Pair Neck Straps and Rope; One Chimney Top & 3 Vent Bks.; Desk; Large Pump; Large Safe; Pair Sliding Door Rollers & Fittings; Two Wooden Doors; Box Sundries; Wooden Frame and Glass; 2 Vienna Chairs; Delivery Cart; Five Boxes Tiles; Quantity Agricultural Pipes; Wooden Bench; Wood Horse; Earthenware Drain Pipe; Wooden Tool Box; New Brass Spray "Rego"; Two Wood Planes. YARD - Pair Hedge Clippers; Box Containing 2 prs Secateurs & Punch; Box Tools seven pieces; Box Sundries; Lawn Weeder and Seed Sower; Box Tools 6 pieces; Two Saws; Bundle Files; Three Braces; Box of 13 pieces Gimlets etc.; Five Spanners; Box Tools 4 pieces; Four Coal Chisels; Box 7 pieces of Tools; Box of 5 pieces of Tools; Box of Docket Books; One Printing set; Large Figure Printing Set; Small Figure Printing set; Price Ticket Box; Air Brush Writing Set Complete; Six Shelves & Brackets, one Hat Rack, in store room; Box of Three Hammers; Two Boot Lasts; Tin of Polishing Oil; Box of Gardening Sundries; 2 Bicycle Pumps Saddle & Clips; One Covered Baking Dish; 200 c.p. Globe (Vestibule); Two "Dimolite" Fittings; Set of Five Canisters; Earthernware Jar; Two shopping Cases; Dinner Set 11 pieces; Box of Sundry Tins; Alm Fish Pan and Drainer; Two Ventilators; Knife Board & 3 Bread Saws; Soap Box and Jewel Case; Three Glass Articles. OFFICE FURNITURE - Steel Safe (Office Safe); Office Table five drawers; Cabinet 8 drawers; Cupboard three shelves; Selves 2ft3in x 1ft6in; Cheque Protector; Remington Typewriter; Typewriter Adjustable Table; Burroughs Bookkeeping Machine and Stand Complete; Small Office Table; Glass Show Case3ft9 x 2ft.; Four Sheets M. Glass; Five Sheets P. Glass; Gent's Overcoat new; Boy's Pullover New; Small Show Case; Duplicator (complete); Webster's Dictionary; Family doctor's Book. Two Dictionaries; Bundle of Three Books; Art Decorating Book; Bundle of Three Books; Bundle of Three Books; Two Books (Children's); (Multiple) Bundles each containing Three Books; Leather Riding Whip; Tort-shell Inkstand & Calendar; Tort-shell Folding Letter Rack; Water Filter; Thermos Flask and Case; Two Waste Paper Baskets.

Seven seated and fifteen standing men dressed in suits around a long table in a panelled room hung with formal portraits of men. A trophy sits on the long table amongst loose paper sheets. Research by project volunteer, Fiona Collyer: The Commercial Travellers’ Association of Victoria (CTA) was formed at a meeting of 40 commercial travellers held at the Duke of Rothesay Hotel, 24 Elizabeth Street on 1 December 1880. Their charter was to advocate for better working conditions for commercial travelling salesmen, including improved accommodation at discounted rates and travel concession fares. At first by locomotive, horse and buggy, steamers and horseback, later also by motor car and motorcycle, “The Man on the Road” went into the back-blocks of the country to extend the interests of commerce to the stores and households of Australian regional towns and isolated settlements. Affiliated organisations existed in all states and New Zealand and in 1895 they integrated to form the United Commercial Travellers’ Association of Australasia (UCTAA). By the turn of the 20th century, the Victorian branch of the CTA had 421 Association Members and 520 Club members. The CTA continued to hold meetings in leased rooms in hotels and offices until 1898 when they commissioned purpose-built premises at 190-192 Flinders Street (extant, now the Macstore, next to former Metropolitan Gas Company Buildings). Designed by leading architectural firm of brothers H.W. & F.B.Tompkins (Dimmey’s Model Store, Swan Street, London Stores, Herald and Weekly Times, Myer building, Diamond House, Centreway Arcade, Manton’s Store) in the Queen Anne Revival style at the cost of £20,000, the four storey building had a facade of red Northcote bricks and an entrance of Pyrmont stone. It was very modern for the time, featuring elevators, offices, bars, kitchen, dining, card and billiard rooms and 31 bedrooms with shared bathrooms for the footsore travellers. However, despite adding two storeys in 1901, and another storey and a basement in 1905, they soon outgrew their premises, and in 1912 the CTA commissioned a new building at 328 Flinders Street. At this time, buildings in Melbourne were constrained by the city height limit of 132 feet (40 metres)- the maximum height of firefighting ladders. The new CTA building was the tallest building in Melbourne until 1932 when regulations changed allowing the Manchester Unity Building to be built. The new CTA headquarters was the epitome of comfort and luxury with cutting edge facilities to ease the fatigued salesman and prepare him for another stint on the road. General Secretary, James Davies travelled to Britain and America to acquire the very best and latest innovations. After visiting the new premises, Punch magazine 11 June 1914 reported “furnishings, appliances, and labour-saving conveniences which were more than up to date- they were up to-morrow.” The Edwardian Baroque style building was again designed by architects H.W. & F.B. Tompkins at the cost of £100,000 and built by contractors F.E. Shillabeer and Sons (Nicholas Building, Kellow-Falkiner Pty Ltd car showroom). The nine storey plus basement building is of steel frame construction with concrete floors. The ground floor facade is of grey granite and above that it is faced with cream glazed bricks chosen to combat discolouration from the pollution emitted by Flinders Street Station trains across the road. The facade is decorated with mascarons, gum leaf trim and balconies with classical style balustrade. The club was entered through revolving doors into a two storey high, circular, domed lobby with white columns, American oak panelled walls and intricate mosaic flooring. The ceiling is festooned with plaster gum leaf and gum nut detail, a theme that is repeated throughout the building. The basement kitchen had modern, labour saving appliances that would be the envy of any Edwardian housewife, including an electric toaster, a potato peeling machine, heated dumb waiter, dishwashing machine and electric refrigeration and cooking. It serviced the commodious second floor dining room which seated 200 people and the cafe/breakfast room, 80 people. Members were permitted to entertain their lady friends there for afternoon tea between the hours of 3 and 5 pm every day, except Sunday. The members’ facilities included a barbershop, clothes pressing machine, boot cleaning chair, pipe and cigar stall with electric humidor, public telephones, lockers and safe deposit. The building was serviced with five elevators, a built in vacuum cleaning plant, hot water radiators and linen and postal chutes. The first floor was devoted to business and relaxing, containing the Board, Writing, Reading and four Business Rooms. The board room had Queensland maple panelling with huge blackwood tables topped with blue morocco and golden tortoise-shell trim and cane bottomed chairs. Large framed photographs of past presidents since 1884 lined the walls. The Reading Room ran the whole width of the building. Arthur Streeton’s painting “Between the Lights, Princes Bridge 1888” and Frederick McCubbin’s “Looking North from Mount Macedon” were hung there, as well as paintings by renowned Australian artists Hans Heysen, Walter Withers, John Mather, Jan Hendrik Scheltema. The Argus 30 May 1914 quipped “Around the walls hang evidences that the commercial traveller's soul has not been killed in his pursuit of commerce”. The blackwood panelled room was furnished with Queen Anne style tables and chairs and green leather armchairs with inviting rocker foot rests allowing weary travellers to relax after traversing the railways and dusty roads of Victoria while planning their next sales trip. “The Australasia Traveller” Volume 10, Number 2, April 1914 page 35 noted “An attendant will be constantly employed on this floor to take care of the stationary supply, to tidy up newspapers, and generally study the convenience of members.” The third floor was for amusements with billiards, a bar and four rooms for playing cards, dominoes and chess. The huge billiard room had seven Alcock billiard tables including a table in a partitioned match-room for tournaments, exhibitions and matches. The walls were lined with members’ cues and for spectators, comfortable lounges with marble topped tables and electric bell pushes for drinks service. There were 150 bedrooms over five floors, each with their own telephone and wash basin and five suites with a private sitting room attached. There were four bathrooms per bedroom floor and capacious, well-lighted shaving rooms. Top rate club tariff for bed and breakfast - 6 shillings, if called for a country train leaving Melbourne before 8am - 4 shillings, suite and breakfast- 9 shillings, sixpence. “The Australasia Traveller” Volume 10, Number 2, April 1914 page 35 reported “All “early calls” will be made from the Club Office to Bedrooms by means of the Telephone, so that instead of waking everybody else up on the corridor, only the member concerned will know that it is his unpleasant duty to get up.” The new CTA premises was widely regarded as the finest club in the Southern Hemisphere. The CTA also built the adjacent six storey Commerce House with 52 sample rooms for travellers to display their wares with the remainder rented to retail businesses and a post and telegraph office. After the CTA moved into their new, larger premises in 1914, neighbouring department store Ball & Welch expanded into the former CTA. The CTA saw themselves in a nation building role and were an influential lobby group to the Government. They advocated for inter city trunk telephone lines, standard gauge railway lines between NSW and Victoria, improved roads and highways, the Murray River water scheme and maintaining the White Australia Policy. They were very active in fund raising for the war efforts. The CTA offered its members support in other ways with benevolent funds for widows and orphans, mortuary, accident, sickness and an annuities fund for members over 65 years. There were scholarships for members’ children and home purchase scheme to assist with home ownership. A secondary membership scheme provided access to non commercial travellers (men only) to its exclusive club premises. They also organised social events and activities such as billiard tourneys, golf tournaments, dances and an annual “Smoke Social” which was a social event where men gathered for a formal dinner, community singing, lectures, speeches and of course, to smoke! Daylesford born James Davies OBE, (1865-1931) worked at the CTA for 50 years, starting as an office boy and working his way up to General Secretary and editor of the monthly trade journal for UCTAA members, “The Traveller” (1890-1905, later “The Australasian Traveller” 1905-1924 and then “The Australian Traveller” 1925-1976) and the annual colour supplement magazine “Australia To-Day” (1904-1973). “The Australasia Traveller” featured commentary on the issues of the day like wars, tariffs and trade, articles on new products and hotel recommendations and their rates and lots of advertising, especially alcohol, tobacco and accommodation in regional hotels. There were regular columns, each illustrated with a line drawing and these included “Our Immigration Record” a state by state summary of arrivals of “desirable immigrants” to Australia, while bemoaning the declining (white) birth rate. The column followed the arrival of British boys sent to Australia as agricultural apprentices to work on rural properties which were short of labour. Between 1913-1928, 1750 “Barwell Boys”, some as young as 14 years of age arrived in South Australia to work. NSW had a similar program known as the Dreadnaught Boys Scheme where 5595 boys immigrated between 1911-1939. The boys were considered of “good British stock”. There was a “Home Page For The Ladies” showcasing the latest fashions in women’s clothing, millinery and hairstyles and tips and trends in home furnishings.“Children’s Corner for Dear Little Folks” which featured puzzles, jokes and stories and members could send in photographs of their children. “Road Echoes” devoted to “The Man On The Road” and his doings. “Face Massage, Smiling is the Best Face Massage”, the humour page full of jokes and funny stories. “Railway Rumbles” news of innovations, timetables, tickets and grumbles about lavatories, food and drinking water on trains and at railway stations. And in case we forget that members had a home away from their CTA home, gardening tips with “The C.T. as Gardener”column. The annual magazine “Australia To-Day” was a vehicle to promote Australia here and overseas as a modern, prosperous country with abundant opportunities and pleasant climate. It sought to showcase its manufacturing, agriculture and tourism and encourage British immigration to Australia. The magazine featured articles about recently arrived migrants at work, quirky native flora and fauna, beach culture, recreation and the Australian way of life in the settler nation. Many of the articles were written by politicians of the day, including Robert Menzies. The UCTAA commissioned original artwork for the front covers and feature articles of “Australia To-day” from leading Australian artists. These included Norman Lindsay, Frederick McCubbin, Napier Waller, Lionel Lindsay, Hans Heysen, C Dudley Wood, Louis McCubbin, Penleigh Boyd, Louis Buvelot, Christian Waller and Ellis Rowan and her Australian wildflowers. Some of the photographs in “Australia To-Day” were provided by state and federal government departments as well as manufacturers, newspapers and mining companies. Amongst of the credited photographers was Helmut Newton who later earned world acclaim as a fashion photographer and architectural and industrial photographer Wolfgang Sievers (unfortunately their photographs remain in copyright and aren’t available online). Also featured was Richard C. Strangman, a professional photographer from Canberra, William Howieson of Melbourne, who has 22 photographs in the collection of NGV, Tasmanian wilderness photographer Frederick Smithies, Athol Shmith, portrait photographer and educator from Melbourne, Gordon de Lisle, a Melbourne commercial, industrial, aerial and society portrait photographer. (One of Gordon’s assignments was as the stills photographer for the 1959 movie “On The Beach” filmed in Melbourne). Photographs taken by acclaimed Antarctic and official war photographer Captain Frank Hurley OBE for Adelaide’s Centenary were also featured. The Australian Government was keenly aware of the influence and quality of the UCTAA publications. On 1 June 1914 The Age reported that to advertise Australia in Great Britain and elsewhere, the Department of External Affairs purchased 6500 copies of “Australia To-Day” magazine for £515 to distribute free to “places where they are most likely to come under the notice of a desirable class of immigrants.” In 1950, the office of Prime Minister Robert Menzies ordered 2550 copies of that year’s issue of “Australia To-Day” for the Department of Commerce and Information to distribute. The CTA donated their archives to University of Melbourne Archives which includes original artworks and photos used in “Australia To-Day” (Melbourne University has digitised 1114 photos) and sundry items including trophies, ashtrays, commemorative souvenirs, menus, a rare “Safechek” sovereign changer, a bust of James Davies and even a CTA embossed wash bowl and chamber pot. After the death of General Secretary James Davies in 1931, the CTA held the annual “James Davies Memorial Cup” golf tournament at various Melbourne golf courses, the winner receiving a splendid silver cup. “Table Talk” magazine photographs from 29 June 1933 depict the travellers beautifully (and I would say correctly) attired in tweedy plus fours, Fair Isle knitwear, flat caps and of course fringed brogues. I have been unable to ascertain whether the trophy in our photo is for golf or another CTA social activity. The CTA Victoria membership peaked in 1951 with 4,672 Aassociation members and 3,693 Club members. In 1959, Hollywood came to Melbourne when film stars Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner, Anthony Perkins and Fred Astaire descended to film ‘On the Beach,’ directed by Stanley Kramer. The film is based on the bestselling Neville Shute novel about the aftermath of World War Three, a nuclear war that has obliterated most of the Northern Hemisphere. Radioactive dust is heading toward Australia and everyone is preparing for death. Scenes with Anthony Perkins were filmed in the CTA billiards room as the exclusive Pastoral Club. Anthony Perkins’ character, Lieutenant Commander Peter Holmes of RAN tells Gregory Peck’s character, Commander Dwight Lionel, that The Pastoral Club is…”A mahogany and polished brass sort of place-some people claim it was the stuffiest club in the Commonwealth” before assuring him that despite shortages, the club is likely to have some Scotch left. In a scene at the Pastoral Club two, old (probably red faced) codgers discuss the challenge of drinking all of the 400 bottles of Gould Campbell vintage port in the club wine cellar before they succumb to radiation sickness in five months time. The NGV has 12 photographs in their collection of wardrobe stills of Ava Gardner modelling costumes designed by the Fontana Sisters of Rome for “On The Beach”, taken by Italian photographer G.B.Poletto. During the filming, Gregory Peck and his family stayed at “Kurneh” 206 Domain Road, South Yarra, the former home of three times Grand Slam winner Norman Brookes. Through the decades, Australian society was changing and in order to stay relevant, the CTA had to change too. In 1971, two women were elected for club membership, although they were only granted limited access to the club’s facilities and in 1972, women were invited for the first time to participate in the previously men only annual “Smoke Social”. In 1975, dwindling membership forced the closure of The Commercial Travellers’ Association building and in 1977, the building was sold, with the CTA ceasing to operate in 2014. It was the end of the road for the “Knights of the Road”. In 1992, the CTA building at 328 Flinders Street was placed on the Victorian Heritage Register in recognition of its architectural and cultural significance. The building has been meticulously restored with many of the original fittings, decorative plasterwork, mosaic flooring, stained glass windows, columns, chandeliers and the panelling made from Australian timbers retained. After renovations the building became first the Euro Asia Hotel, then the Duxton Hotel and in 2005 The Rendezvous Hotel, Melbourne. In tribute to the history of the building and the film “On The Beach”, the Rendezvous Hotel has the Ms Ava Bar, Perkins room, Mr Tompkins restaurant, Commerce Room and the Davies Room. References: COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS' ASSOCIATION OF VICTORIA. (1899, May 27). The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), p. 25. Retrieved February 21, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138615498 COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS. (1914, May 30). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 8. Retrieved February 13, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article7272511 NEWS OF THE DAY. (1914, June 1). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 8. Retrieved February 19, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article189414314 COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS' "AT HOME." (1914, June 11). Punch (Melbourne, Vic. : 1900 - 1918; 1925), p. 32. Retrieved March 19, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129699692 https://archives.library.unimelb.edu.au/nodes/view/69669 https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/757 http://www.pikitiapress.com/blog/2015/1/26/australia-today Commercial Travellers at Yarra Yarra (1933, June 29). Table Talk (Melbourne, Vic. : 1885 - 1939), p. 6. Retrieved February 28, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article149547845 https://archives.library.unimelb.edu.au/nodes/view/537460 https://viewer.slv.vic.gov.au/?entity=IE7420895&file=FL19171568&mode=browse https://www.history.sa.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Barwell_Boys_Catalogue-compressed-compressed-compressed.pdf Australia Today," 1927 (1926, December 11). Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), p. 15. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article223844810 https://blogs.unimelb.edu.au/librarycollections/2020/12/19/an-inhabited-space-helmut-newtons-lovers/ https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/explore/collection/artist/2075/ https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/?s=Poletto+&type=collection https://rendezvousmelbourne.com.au/digital-history-tour/Photographer notations on slide: "Commercial Travellers Group B6".clubs, department stores, 1930-1939, commerce, manufacturing, federation/edwardian style architecture, railways, tourism, games, agriculture

A toasting fork is a three pronged fork designed to be used to toast things over an open fireplace. Classically, a toasting fork could be stuck into a piece of bread and used to hold the bread in the fire, with a periodic rotation for even browning. For advanced players, it's possible to use a toasting fork to make toasted cheese sandwiches and other hot sandwiches. A typical toasting fork is made of wire, and many modern ones are telescopic, allowing people to fold the fork up or slide the handle in when not in use. This makes toasting forks easier to store and transport, while allowing people to keep their hands well clear of the fire when the fork is in use. The three slender prongs can be of varying length, depending on the design; prongs which are too long will mangle the bread, while short prongs will allow the bread to slide off, so most designers try to strike a happy medium. Before the arrival of gas and electric cook stoves, households relied on heavy duty wood and coal fired cookers, or simply open fireplaces. Such stoves required a great deal of energy and maintenance to run, so when someone wanted a quick snack, toasting something over an open fire could be much more appealing than wrestling with the cooker. Some people also undoubtedly found the experience of toasting something over an open fire to be enjoyable. https://www.delightedcooking.com/what-is-a-toasting-fork.htmIn the old days, there were no electric toasters, so the toasting fork used near an open flame proved extremely effective.Fork with three prongs with hook design on the two outside prongs. Neck features decorative twisted design and there is more decorative work in the metal near the bone handle.None. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

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

Used by Colin Sach during his employment as Manager of the Chemistry Dept. at the University of Melbourne over a period of forty years.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 good1'. 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 good1'|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.Square metal box with electrical elements inside. Used to stand on or to put feet on when sitting. Elaborate pattern in centre with inscription.Hecla Foot Warmerdomestic items, heating

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 good1'. 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 good1'|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.Early electric iron with turned wood handle and detachable brown and white electrical cord. Stamped with name HECLA. Cord has a two pin connector where it plugs into iron and a standard three pin plug at the other. Thumb rest for right hand.On plug near pins - Made in Australia -Cat No 100 - 240V 10 Adomestic items, irons, electrical technology, appliances & accessories

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.Large electric heater with two radiator bars and a protective grille at the top and false coals at the bottom.Replacements for this fire - Elements No. F314 - Illuminators No. 3P. Berry's Electric Ltd - Volts 230 - 240 -Watts 2000 V/AD/Cat No. 454 . Made in Australia by Hecla Electrics Pty Ltd Melbournedomestic items, heating