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A toaster-oven broiler is neither a good toaster, a good oven, nor a good broiler.
-- Consumer Reports test toaster-ovens, 1990 |
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We agree with the semtiments expressed above, and don't much care for toaster-ovens, but they do have their place in being able to toast thick breads, bagels, etc. It wasn't until the 1980s that manufacturers recognized our changing bread eating habits and finally made toasters into which you could fit a bagel. This period also sees high-tech - and heat resistant - plastics getting used for toaster bodies. And, of course, microchip controls appear. |
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Electric Art Electronic Toaster , Model 103, from the late 80's-early 90's-discontinued, made in China by Majestic Co. of Bridgeport, Conn. As stated above, the development of heat resistant plastics made the shell of this toaster possible. This model also shows how manufacturers responded to people's desire to toast thicker breads and bagels by making wider slots. |
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Sunbeam,Model 3816, 1990s. This is the 1990s version of Sunbeam's very successful "fully automatic" design that was first made in the late 1940s with the Model T-20. Read an article detailing the evolution of this toaster. |
Scenes from the production line at the
Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex manufacturing plant
in Mt. Airy, North Carolina.
Officially designated "Toaster Capital of the World" in 1993.
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Yes, as pictured above, Proctor-Silex tests all their toasters with bread. The toast is given to local ranchers to feed their livestock.
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The Metropolitan Toaster, Model T245, by Black and Decker. B&D's promotional literature describe this toaster as having "Art Deco Design"...hmmm...well it has some nice streamlined curves anyway. |
View more Black & Decker toasters at:
http://www.blackanddecker.com
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Dualit Six-slice toaster. Handmade in England, this is the Rolls Royce of toasters. Virtually unchanged in design since the 1950s, the Dualit was initially made for commercial purposes but it became popular for home use, due to its classic styling and durability. It comes in 2, 3, 4, and 6 slice versions |
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Sunbeam ToastLogic Toaster. This toaster has a window in its side for viewing the doneness of the toast. One write-up of the ToastLogic claims it is the first toaster to have such a viewing window -- but if you've been paying attention in this museum tour you will recall the Toast-O-Lator, from the 1930s-40s, had a glass porthole for viewing the toast. |
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Philips/Alessi toaster. This stylish toaster is an award winner for its design. It is not available for purchase in the United States :-( |
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Philips is doing some nice toaster designs,
here are a couple more of their current offerings:
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As we gather more information, and take more photographs, we'll add to this page.
Do you have something to contribute? Let us know.
