Unknown (Possibly Rare) Ceiling Fan in a Photo Dated April, 1915

[Eric White]

Link below to the website I found it on:

https://statemuseum.nd.gov/photobook/details?I RecID=PH_I_170434

[Michael Bouthiller]

It looks like a Hunter Turek type A with different blade arms 

[Louis Weedman]

Not a Tuerk, it's something yet to be found in modern times. The blade irons looks like Western Electric, I have a set of those. That motor = unobtanium status.

[Russ Huber]

That's a good one. 🙂

[Jack Minor]

I agree with Louis. Looks like Peerless irons. The motor looks like a R&M “B” and a DL Bates hooked up 😂

[Russ Huber]

1 hour ago, Jack Minor said:

I agree with Louis. Looks like Peerless irons.

On 10/28/2024 at 4:16 PM, Louis Weedman said:

The blade irons looks like Western Electric.

 

 

[Steve Rockwell]

        Evan Atkinson, where are you on this?

[Evan Atkinson]

@Steve Rockwell, @Eric White found a 🦄, without a doubt.

 

Agree with @Louis Weedman and @Jack Minor: from what can be seen in the photo, the blade brackets look very similar to the Peerless Type A from 1901, and subsequently used on other, concurrently-produced models from Western Electric at that time. The blade hub appears to have an integrated oil reservoir just above it that also turns, as well as a switch ball housing that looks to be of the same design as that on the Western Electric Louis XV Standard. The blade wing-tip shape mirrors the blades from both makers.

I've never fully understood the marriage between Warren Electric (which I've always believed was the originator of the "Peerless" brand) and Western Electric (which seems another wholly separate company whose production & manufacturing concerns have always been a bit murky). BUT! I digress...

Numerous manufacturers around the turn of the 20th century produced half-round, full globe or teardrop-shaped ceiling fans. Backus, Diehl, Hunter, R&M, Sprague, even Dayton. The motor in this photo is unlike any from the the previously mentioned producers. A very, very gilt, ornate motor basket, which seems like it's made of two relatively rounded halves joined at the middle. I wouldn't be surprised if both top and bottom covers were solid cast brass: they look just as ornate and detailed as the solid brass top and bottom covers on the big WE Standard, which is incredibly intricate for a casting.

I'd peg this fan (based on its design) as earlier than the XV Standard. And judging by the shape and ornamentation of the basket, it's possibly earlier than the Peerless A.

I have no definite idea of what it is, only guesses. Super, SUPER find.

EDIT: I keep staring at it. I see some tell-tale signs (beyond the obvious brackets, hub and blade shape) that look slightly familiar. 

I'm going to go out on a limb and ID this as a Western Electric, model unknown. It's gilded in just the right way that matches some of their earliest fans. Though I've never been aware of any globe-shaped Western Electrics, maybe Eric found the first one.

Edited November 10, 2024 by Evan Atkinson

[Russ Huber]

12 hours ago, Evan Atkinson said:

I've never fully understood the marriage between Warren Electric (which I've always believed was the originator of the "Peerless" brand) 

I'm going to go out on a limb and ID this as a Western Electric, model unknown. 

Warren Electric & Specialty Co. incorporated in 92. The Peerless (trademark name) bipolar fan motor was their first in 99 to go to market. In 1902 The Peerless Electric Company incorporated as a separate entity (still under Gilmor management). So Peerless fan motor 1899-01 were manufactured by Warren Electric & Specialty Co. 1902 forward Peerless fans were manufactured by the Peerless Electric Co.

My impression is the CF in question is not Peerless. 

[Russ Huber]

Western Electric's first fan motor manufactured in house was a desk fan in 1896. They had a column fan and newly designed desk and bracket fans they manufactured on the market in 1897. There are no patents for these fans filed/issued in 96-97. Henry Wait did not file patents for later WE desk and ceiling fans until 99. 

I think it is very possible Western Electric may have manufactured the ceiling fan in question late 19th, and it never made it to electrical trade.

Based on the numbers and numbers of scans I have done in the books; I have to the best of my knowledge never seen this one.

Edited November 12, 2024 by Russ Huber

[Steve Rockwell]

                     Western Electric blade (1901) above Sprague blade (1902), identical irons...

              

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                             1907

Edited December 16, 2024 by Steve Rockwell