The most likely answer: an early electric hair straightener or a “miracle device” for electrotherapy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the 1910s, Siemens & Halske was a leader in the electrification of homes. But from today’s perspective, the devices of that era look more like industrial measuring instruments or medieval torture devices than household appliances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are the most famous mysterious Siemens objects from around 1914 and their true functions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Hair Straightener with a Fan Motor (The Precursor to the “Hairdryer”)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the object resembles a chrome-plated metal cylinder with a thick wooden handle and an open electric motor mounted on the side, it’s an early hairdryer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why is that strange? Back then, hairdryers weren’t made of plastic: they consisted of heavy copper and steel parts and weighed up to 1\u20132 kilograms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Interesting fact: The motorized device that blew hot air was developed around the turn of the century by Siemens and its partners. In 1908, they registered the name F\u00f6n (after the warm Alpine wind F\u00f6n) as a trademark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The galvanic and high-frequency electrotherapy device<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the device is housed in an elegant wooden box, filled with copper switches, adjustment coils, and glass tube electrodes, it is an electrical therapy device for home use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What was it used for? In the 1910s, electricity was considered a true miracle cure. Home devices, also manufactured by Siemens, were used to apply a weak current to the body (or to touch the skin with gas-discharging glass tubes that glowed violet), as it was believed this could cure rheumatism, migraines, hair loss, and nervousness.
\u2026 Electromagnetic call sign for the maid<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If it is a wooden box mounted on the wall with small glass windows, behind which numbers or room names (e.g., dining room, drawing room, gentleman’s study) are visible with small, tilting flags:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What was it used for? In upper-class homes, pressing electrical buttons embedded in the wall would tilt down a small, numbered tile on the Siemens call sign in the maid’s room, so the butler or cook would immediately know which room to summon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ozonator (formerly air purifier)
If it is a closed metal cylinder that emits a soft crackling sound when operating:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What was it used for? In the 1910s, Siemens also manufactured ozone generators for home use. It was believed that the ozone produced by high voltage would freshen the air and kill pathogens (although concentrated ozone actually irritated the lungs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The homeowner considered them a high-tech specialty, and he proudly presented his guests with the latest achievements of the electrical age!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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