Seeing that this has moved to non-mechanical things, I have this precursor to the portabld transistor radio:
A Vidor CN381A portable valve radio, my Dad’s, dating back to ~1950. Takes a 90v battery. I remember it as a little kid from picnics with my parents.
I was shocked to learn it cost about £10 when new - equivalent to about £400 today.
I’ve been trying to find some to take pictures, so probably tucked away.
Inherited include
a Stanley block plane, early 1900s.
Grandmother’s Spong mincer, only set aside because there is no longer a kitchen counter edge to clamp it to.
Grandfather’s metal bodied Stanley Bridges electric drill.
A 1950s Electrolux cylinder vacuum cleaner.
My brother took grandfather’s two Primus stoves that I was told father used to take on scout camps. They fitted nicely into those old cube shaped grocers biscuit tins that with one side cut away gave working access but made an efficient wind break. Wonderful memories of autumn family outings, primus set up, picnic hamper out, Heinz tomato soup in a “tin” mug followed by sausages in a roll. Washing up done on the spot in a little enamel bowl…
A GE electric can opener we got for a wedding gift. We got married in 1981. It worked perfectly up until a couple months ago and sadly had to toss it. I also have a pair of McIntosh MC 30s from the early 1960s. They were serviced about 8 years ago. I used them daily up until about 5 years ago. I pull out and run them a couple of times a year and they are still rock solid and sound pretty good also.
The wife
I sometimes toy with the idea of getting the current version, but then… if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
My wife has a similar Bosh on from her mum. I guess 1970s.
spurred on by this thread- new element set from dualit for £36 and shes back up toasting all 4 sides for another 20 yrs.
This mechanical scale was frequently used in my parents kitchen. Along with an electric grinder from the same manufacturer it has found its way into ours. Both are from the mid sixties.
Belling 2kW room heater (when standing), from my parents c.1955. Can be laid down on its back (as shown) to boil a kettle or cook toast. Not that we have tried that since the 1960s!
Now adopted by Marmie, my brother’s 17 year old cat.
Glad to see it has a new flex (rather than the rubber insulation covered cable that it came with in the 1950’s)
Yes, my brother is a very competent electrician and is very safety aware. He has also de-commissioned the lower element due to it being in rather a poor state. It was a bit fierce on full power anyway!
The cats have just pointed out that I am the oldest appliance in the household. How do they work this out? Well, I feed them, stroke them, buy them toys and treats, and I am mostly useful; therefore, I am a useful multiappliance to them.
Here they are relaxing,
Snap
Other than the old appliance i call ‘wife’ (a unique combination of vacuum cleaner, cooker and washing machine), i think one, or all, of the following
Apple iPod Nano
Apple iphone 3
Naim CDX
Did the dog die😁
Presently in operating condition and used regularly:
Dualit ‘Classic’ 2 slot toaster from early ‘90s
Braun hand blender inherited from my Grandmother in the ‘00s
My Orbe turntable with SME V arm from 2001
Sim Audio Moon i5 amp also from 2001
Meridian 200 CD transports bought 2nd hand in the ‘00, but dating from early/mid ‘90s
Tag McLaren AV32R and DVD32FLR Home theatre Pre-amp and DVD transport, bought 2nd hand mid ‘00s but date from the early ‘00s
Lumagen HDPro Video processor from circa 2000
In drawers or not working
Long case Grandfather clock from 1840’s (Wedding present to my Great Grandparents, passed to my Great Aunt then to me circa 2004)
Original iPhone 2G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, Apple Bluetooth headset from ‘00s
REX organiser
Nokia 8890 and a few other pre-smartphone phones from ‘00s
It would be good to get it working. Is there an issue with it?
