Fans are one of the unsung electric innovations of all time. They cool computers, lasers, lighting, all motorized vehicles, including electric. Modern homes and buildings would be uninhabitable without HVAC systems. First developed in 1886, the electric fan was patterned after water or steam turbines. Add an electric motor and a base and you were in business, especially on a hot summer afternoon. Oh, and a cage around the blades would be nice, to protect fingers. From an inauspicious start, electric fans became important appliances in home, office, factory, and farm. The major players in the early 20. Century were General Electric and Westinghouse, but AT&T’s Western Electric subsidiary got into the market as well. Founded in 1869, Western Electric was better known for its telephones, telephone components and devices, vacuum tubes, and numerous other electrical products. It tried mightily to monopolize its market and did so with telephones. That was not the case with fans. We think this model dates around the 1910s, when the company adopted a new italics logo. The four fan blades cut the air in an awkward way and made a lot more noise compared to modern models. Overlapping blades, which were introduced in the latter 1920s and are used in modern fans, quieted the noise and greatly increased performance without increasing energy consumption. That puts this fan sometime between 1914 and 1929. Its motor is alternating current and 60 hertz cycle, standard North American power specs. It is all black and comes with a cord and plug that are still in good condition. The cage is 9 inches in diameter and 1.5 inches wide. The fan stands 11 inches tall and 5.75 inches wide (22 x 28 x 15 cm). It is heavy, weighing in at 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg). As shown in the photographs, there is a scratch-like mark on one side of the motor, but it is otherwise in excellent shape with a nice patina on the motor, base, and blades. The bottom felt pad has a couple of discolorations and scratches but is in very good condition as well. A must for fan and AT&T and Western Electric collectors. Not many of these around in this kind of condition. Would make an interesting fashion statement in a vintage office setting, as a desk accessory for a country, general, or vintage drug store, or a piece of beaux art or early art deco decor. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Kitchen & Home\Small Appliances\Electric Fans”. The seller is “agitpropshoppe” and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Japan, China, Sweden, Korea, South, Taiwan, South Africa, Thailand, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Bahamas, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Croatia, Republic of, Malaysia, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts-Nevis, Saint Lucia, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos Islands, Barbados, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Brunei Darussalam, Bolivia, Egypt, French Guiana, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Iceland, Jersey, Jordan, Cambodia, Cayman Islands, Liechtenstein, Sri Lanka, Luxembourg, Monaco, Macau, Martinique, Maldives, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Reunion, Uruguay.

• Model: 8100
• Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
• Item Depth: 6 inches
• Item Height: 11 inches
• Item Width: 9 inches
• Material: Cast Iron
• Power Source: Corded, Electrical
• Type: Table/Desk
• Features: Adjustable Tilt/Head
• Antique: Yes
• Color: Black
• Vintage: Yes
• Finish: Antique
• Item Weight: 5.5 pounds
• Original/Licensed Reproduction: Original
• Item Diameter: 9 inches