Descriptive Summary
Access
Publication Rights
Preferred Citation
Acquisition Information
Scope and Content of Collection
Indexing Terms
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Descriptive Summary
Title: Hotpoint/General Electric Collection
Dates: 1911-1975
Collection Number: Consult library
Creator/Collector:
General Electric
Extent: 32.5 Linear feet (31 boxes)
Online items available
Repository:
Ontario City Library, Robert E. Ellingwood Model Colony History Room
Ontario, California 91764-4111
Abstract: Earl H. Richardson was a meter reader for the Ontario Power Company in the early 1900’s. In his spare time, he experimented
with electrifying flat irons. Designing a small, lighter weight model (flatirons could weigh 5-10 pounds each), he convinced
his company to generate power all day every Tuesday (ironing day) so power customers could use his new iron. He reasoned that
if enough electric irons were in use, customers would demand more power and the high rates would be reduced. It worked.
By 1904, he left the power company and started up the Pacific Electric Heating Company on Euclid Avenue just below the railroad
tracks to manufacture electric irons.
A major problem was soon identified: the iron got too hot in the center of the ironing plate. Richardson asked his wife
Mary for advice (!). She suggested that he make an iron with more heat at the point for easier pressing around buttonholes,
ruffles and pleats. He fabricated this new improved version and gave several to local laundresses to try for one week. When
he returned, they refused to part with “the iron with the hot point”. In 1905, he made and sold more electric irons under
the “Hotpoint” name than any other company in America.
Between 1911 and 1917, Richardson found other innovative ways to marry electricity with household appliances. Thus was born
the “El” line (El meaning “electric”): El Perco (an electric coffeepot), El Chafo (chafing dish), El Tosto (electric toaster),
El Stovo (an early hotplate), El Eggo, El Teballo (electric teapot), and El Warmo (electric heating pad). An early crockpot,
(the “jug cooker”) came out in 1929.
With World War I raging in Europe, a merger was proposed with Richardson’s Hotpoint Electric Heating Company, George Hughes
(owner/inventor of the electric range) and the heating device section of the General Electric Company. The new company, formed
in 1918, was known as the Edison Electric Appliance Company. In 1952, Hotpoint became a division of the General Electric
Company. The Ontario plant continued to manufacture electric irons until it closed in 1982.
Several milestones marked the Ontario plant’s history: the 20 millionth iron (gold-plated) was presented to Una Winter, Earl
Richardson’s sister in 1941; the 50 millionth produced in 1956 with President Eisenhower looking on; the 100 millionth in
1969 and the 150 millionth in 1980. Legend has it that the last iron was buried in the grounds of the Ontario plant rather
than sent back to GE’s Bridgeport Conn. Plant in 1982.
The Model Colony Room also has an extensive Oral History of Bryce Denton and a slide/transcript presentation he created on
the history of Hotpoint.
Language of Material: English
Access
Collection is open for research during the operating hours of the Robert E. Ellingwood Model Colony History Room, or by appointment.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item]. Hotpoint/General Electric Collection. Collection Number: Consult library. Ontario City Library,
Robert E. Ellingwood Model Colony History Room
Acquisition Information
This collection was donated to the Model Colony Room over a period of years from 1976 to 1989 by the Engineering Management
of the General Electric Iron Plant in Ontario. Bryce A. Denton, GE engineer and historian, coordinated the original donation
and augmented it with yearly contributions from 1980-1989.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Hotpoint/General Electric Collection contains various business records as well as company histories, company newsletters,
engineer drawings, patents, product and parts catalogs, and product advertising. Other material include photographs, 16mm
motion picture film, vinyl recordings, negatives, slides, and scrapbooks.
Indexing Terms
General Electric
Additional collection guides