

Meanwhile, electricity was not readily available, and when it was, it was usually only available at night. Early attempts at producing electrical appliances using iron wiring were unsuccessful, because the wiring was easily melted and a serious fire hazard. Cook & Company of the UK as a toasting appliance called the Eclipse.

Macmasters' toaster was commercialized by the Crompton, Stephen J. However, the light bulb took advantage of the presence of a vacuum, something that couldn't be used for the toaster. A similar technical challenge had recently been surmounted with the invention of the first successful incandescent lightbulbs by Joseph Swan and Thomas Edison. The primary technical problem in toaster development at the turn of the 20th century was the development of a heating element which would be able to sustain repeated heating to red-hot temperatures without breaking or becoming too brittle. The first electric bread toaster was invented by Alan MacMasters in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1893. Utensils for toasting bread over open flames appeared in the early 19th century, including decorative implements made from wrought iron. General Electric Model D-12 toaster, from 1910sīefore the development of the electric toaster, sliced bread was toasted by placing it in a metal frame or on a long-handled toasting-fork and holding it near a fire or over a kitchen grill. Provisions to allow the bread to be lifted higher than the normal raised position, so toast that has shifted during the toasting process can safely and easily be removed.Slots of various depth, length, and width to accommodate a variety of bread types.The ability to power the heat elements in only one of the toaster's several slots.One-sided toasting, which some people prefer when toasting bagels.īeyond the basic toasting function, some pop-up toasters offer additional features such as: A typical modern two-slice pop-up toaster can draw from 600 to 1200 watts. The marketing and price of toasters may not be an indication of quality for producing good toast. Pop-up toasters can have a range of appearances beyond just a square box, and may have an exterior finish of chrome, copper, brushed metal, or any color plastic. Toasters may also be used to toast other foods such as teacakes, toaster pastry, potato waffles and crumpets, though resultant accumulation of fat and sugar inside the toaster can contribute to its eventual failure.Īmong pop-up toasters, those toasting two slices of bread are more purchased than those which can toast four. The completion of toasting may be determined by timer or by a thermal sensor, such as a bimetallic strip, located close to the toast.
SUNBEAM RADIANT CONTROL TOASTER SERIES
The length of the toasting cycle (and therefore the degree of toasting) is adjustable via a lever, knob, or series of pushbuttons, and when an internal device determines that the toasting cycle is complete, the toaster turns off and the toast pops up out of the slots. A lever on the side of the toaster is pressed down, lowering the bread into the toaster and activating the heating elements. In pop-up or automatic toasters, a single vertical piece of bread is dropped into a slot on the top of the toaster. For the average person, this product is simply out of reach and they’re forced to use the mediocre wares that line grocery stores today.Ĭonsidering that it’s around the time of the 75th anniversary of this Toaster being introduced, it would make a lot of sense for Sunbeam or its parent company Newell to revive this product for a new century and a new generation of die-hard fans.Glowing filaments of a modern 2-slice toaster If someone wants to enjoy this marvelous product today, they’re forced to contend with exorbitantly high eBay auction prices for models that only the most dedicated of hobbyists can refurbish and use safely. This marvelous product was ingenious in both construction and operation, even inspiring the design for the titular character in The Brave Little Toaster. The Sunbeam Radiant Control toaster was a countertop appliance manufactured for over 50 years, until it was discontinued in the 90s with no heir apparent.įor decades, this toaster was the pinnacle of middle-class luxury at an affordable price. That somethings were better in the old days. Sometimes, it’s hard to admit that the past did it better.
