gebirgsdonner
1289
35
0
Jul 23, 2026 3:31 AM
gebirgsdonner
1289
35
0
somnif
So early in the US's electrical history (~1900), there were both parallel ( | | ) plug and tandem (— —) plug types around. This fit both.
somnif
(oops, that should say ~1910, stupid fingers)
somnif
https://plugsocketmuseum.nl/NorthAm3.html See figure 4 for another example
foxpotate
I'm not seeing that on NEMA charts. That could be extremely valuable to someone with a weird antique device https://www.americord.com/pages/nema-charts
somnif
https://plugsocketmuseum.nl/NorthAm2.html It's an artifact of two types of plugs being on the market at a time before total standardization.
psugab
Probably not much, but it it's cool
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-montgomery-ward-hoosick-prong-4722966689
foxpotate
Im seeing similar tandem only outlets going for like $20. If you were to sell I'd say start the bidding at $30 or $40 and pack it with as many keywords as possible like "vintage retro antique parallel tandem combo Montgomery ward socket outlet duplex" and see where the chips fall. There is clearly a market to some folks. If you are gonna use it I would say clean it with naptha for oils, dry it, isopropyl for sticky shit and an air compressor to get shit out of it without damaging it.
foxpotate
The reason I suggest those chemicals are that they are the least likely to interact with the bakalite, wont fuck up the patina and unlike soap are less likely to clot the dust into flammable shitnests as neither are good solvents for biological/fiberus materials like soap which is glycerin and water. You want the air compressor to move that shit as easily and fast as possible when you strip any base for them to stick to out.
GreaseMonkeyOfLove
We STILL haven’t agreed on a universal electrical socket 100 years later.
ThatOtherGirlYouKnow
Sure we have. Except America which has like 5 designs at least. Every other country has one standard design.
Cronos51101
We have a lot more than 5, but each serves a purpose. https://www.stayonline.com/product-resources/nema-straight-blade-reference-chart.asp
Marsupialmessiah
You mean like for 110v, 220v single phase, 220v 3-phase, specific amp load plugs for 15, 20, 30 and 50 amps, because homes have the std 110 grounded and a couple 220 for the dryer, and hvac units and some for the water heater... like in europe.
GussDeBlod
I think they meant universal as in worldwide. I know here our plugs can fit several countries but not that many.
ThatOtherGirlYouKnow
I looked up 'Universal Plug' and regretted it.
bigdix69420
Knob and tube?
helyx
You gotta buy me dinner first.
bigdix69420
MacroMoray
Yep. The hot and neutral lines are individually sheathed coming into rhe box.
bigdix69420
Coming in her box, I dont normally wear a sheath on my HOT line
MacroMoray
T is next to R on a keyboard and I turn off autocorrect