The Goblin Teasmade (T547) in the Whangarei Museum collection. Photo / Supplied
The Goblin Teasmade (T547) in the Whangarei Museum collection. Photo / Supplied
A surprising variety of electrical appliances can be found in the home today. From creature comforts like electric blankets to kitchen paraphernalia such as bread makers and juice extractors.
As the years have progressed, so too has the number of electrical household devices available to assist us in our everyday lives. One prime example is held at the Whangarei Museum in the form of a Teasmade.
This peculiarly British bedside invention combines the functions of beverage-maker, alarm-clock and bedside light.
The original "teawaker" was invented by Samuel Rowbottom in 1891 and using gas was somewhat dangerous. This invention was subsequently patented as the "Automatic Tea Making Apparatus".
In 1902 an additional patent for a teasmade was registered by gunsmith Frank Clarke. He called his contraption "An Apparatus Whereby a Cup of Tea or Coffee is Automatically Made", but this was later marketed as "A Clock That Makes Tea"!
An advertisement from the 1960s in the United Kingdom for the Goblin-Teasmade. Photo / Supplied
Further inventions followed and, in 1930, a machine called the "Early Morning Waiter" was developed using both gas and electricity, but the breakthrough came two years later when George Absolom developed a "Teesmade", which immediately became the must-have item of the day. It was powered by electricity and incorporated a reading lamp.
It was further popularised when the Goblin company took it over and produced the Goblin Teasmade in 1936. This automatic tea-maker was developed by W.H. Brenner Thornton and William Hermann and was first manufactured by the British Vacuum Cleaner and Engineering Company Ltd of London.
As the water boiled the steam pressure forced boiling water through the syphon tube and into the teapot. The weight of the water transferred from the kettle to the teapot rocked the platform on which they were positioned. This motion was sufficient to operate switches in the base to switch off the kettle, switch on the lamp and sound the alarm clock.
The machine was included on every wedding present list and the most celebrated 1955 model D25, held in the Museum's collection, was advertised as simple, reliable, automatic and fully guaranteed.
Production stopped during the war years but resumed again in 1947. Essentially this device was a mechanical and electrical marvel, popular at home, in hotels and as a classic 1960s TV quiz show prize. It even featured in the Queen music video for I Want to Break Free.
Goblin continued to enjoy great success with this gadget developing a number of iconic designs that reflected the style of the 1950s, 60s and 70s.
Despite their astonishing popularity the Teasmade's decline coincided with the rise of espresso machines, and they were consigned to collectors' cupboards, car boot sales, and bric-a-brac shops where they attracted a loyal following. One model of unknown origin however eventually ended up in the Whangarei Museum where it still has the ability to rouse fond memories and stimulate inquisitive minds.
■ Natalie Brookland is collection registrar, Whangarei Museum at Kiwi North.
