Goblin 'Teasmade'
From Object Wiki
| Goblin Teasmade, model D25B | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Manufacturer | Goblin |
| Production years | 1959 - 1960 |
| Production location | (unknown) |
The Goblin Teasmade combines an alarm clock and electric kettle which automatically boils water and adds it to a teapot at a specified time. The Teasmade, made in Leatherhead, has been called “a fascinating bit of English eccentricity”. Production of this model is thought to have started in 1954 and ended or 1960.
Contents |
[edit] How it works
The Teasmade makes tea for you at a set time. The clock is set like an alarm clock but, instead of ringing a bell, the kettle starts to boil the water, which then bubbles up through a tube into the teapot. After a few minutes the alarm bell rings to tell you that the tea is ready to be poured into the cup.
You have to set it all up before hand and put in your own milk and sugar; nevertheless, these were very popular machines.
The main body of the unit is made from cream urea plastic. The clock has a round face with pale green luminous hands. This teasmade has side lamps with translucent ribbed acrylic lamp covers and a square ceramic teapot. The square chrome kettle is on the right and has shaped screw-on feet and a single external earth on a flat 2 pin socket/plug.
The following operational details were adapted from text by Steve Thackery.
"Water heats up at pre-set time and decants into teapot when boiling, tipping kettle/teapot plinth and activating alarm. The clock movement uses a perfectly standard synchronous mains motor, albeit of the later self-starting type. The alarm contacts are larger than usual, and operate ten to fifteen minutes before the time shown on the indicator hand. When this clock was made, electric elements with built-in thermostats weren't available, so to detect whether the element is safely covered with water a quite different method is used. The kettle stands on a sprung platform. When the kettle has water in it, its weight presses the platform down and operates a pair of electrical contacts which allow current to be passed to the element.
Before you retire at night, you fill the kettle and put a couple of tea bags in the tea pot. In the morning, the alarm contacts close and the kettle element heats the water. After ten minutes or so it comes to the boil, and the steam pressure forces the boiling water along the chrome tube you can see at the top, into the tea pot. After a few seconds the kettle empties, the platform it stands on rises and cuts off the current to the element. These contacts also switch on the audible alarm and the lights (behind the corrugated corner pieces) to awaken you. In reality, of course, your slumbers were disturbed several minutes previously by all the boiling and hissing sounds! Of course, you may have been awake all night anyway. The ratchet device on the end of the motor (part of the self-starting system) makes a continuous swish, swish, swish sound which some people just can't sleep through..... "
[edit] Memories
My nan and grandad had a Goblin Teasmade. It became a ritual... the preparation before bedtime and the cup of tea in bed every morning, including the dog getting its own serving in a saucer!
— anon
I still have a Goblin Teasmade and it is still in full working order. I used it every morning when I was working. It was so nice to wake up to the alarm and a cup of tea on cold mornings and I love it. My mother gave it to me over 30 years ago. She had one which was an older model than the one she gave to me.
— J M Le-Cun
I really remember the Goblin from my gran’s house. Back then it was a genius idea, and not much has changed since. What’s the first thing we all do when we get up? Make tea. I’m suprised that modern versions haven’t taken off more. Maybe it’s because they don’t have the same satisfyingly complex workings and comedy bubbling noises.
— dmje
My 80-year-old parents still use their original model – 30 years old and built to last.
— anon
I have one of these and still use it.
— anon
My parents had a later 'stylish' brown version of this. The phluk phluck noise as it boiled followed by a long sshhhhhh as the water flowed into the kettle meant it was time to get up!
— anon
my great grandma had one of these and it always made the best tea
— anon
I never owned one but always fancied one. The square pots always appears so fascinating and the clock and light functions suggest great eficency and a touch of luxury
— Kirsten
|
|
Do you remember this teasmade? Add your memories. |
[edit] In the Science Museum
Source: N H Nail Inv: No: 1984-989
[edit] See Also
This object is currently on display in the Dan Dare & the Birth of Hi-Tech Britain exhibition at the Science Museum, London.