Summary

Photograph of male factory workers assembling heaters and other Hecla Electric products, possibly at Hecla's Castlereagh Street premises in Sydney. The employees stand at cluttered benches to the right; completed and packaged Hecla products are shelved along the left hand side of the room.

Hecla's Sydney premises opened in 1926 and was located on the ground floor of Citroen House 299a-301 Castlereagh street. No showroom was incorporated into the building, offices were equipped with show and demonstration facilities including Hecla Hot Water Service, Hecla Stoves, Hecla Fires and a complete range of Hecla Utilities. The shelves at the rear of the assembly area allowed for speedy despatch of completed products. Facilities were provided for conducting mechanical and electrical tests.

The heaters in the photograph illustrate Hecla's shift from ornamental design towards a simpler, utilitarian aesthetic. Economy was a focus of products with appliances frequently designed for multiple uses. The solid cast, enamel finished Apex heater, for instance, could also be swivelled to a horizontal position for toasting or boiling.

This photograph is from an album containing 255 black and white photographs depicting electrical appliances, showroom displays, factory interiors and advertising material relating to Hecla Electrics Pty Ltd. It is part of the Hecla collection of photographs, documents, products, manuals and promotional materials from the Hecla Electrics factories in Melbourne. This collection dates from the late 19th century to the late 20th century and was acquired in 2004 from the current owner of the Hecla Electrics brand.

Hecla Electrics manufactured and distributed a wide range of domestic and commercial electric appliances products to Australasia, such as heaters, kettles, toasters, stoves and water heaters. Its client base included households, commercial businesses such as cafés, hospitals and offices, as well as the military. The company promoted its goods through advertisements in home magazines and displays in shop windows, home shows and the 1935 All-Electricity Exhibition. Hecla Electrics became a household name in Melbourne during the 1920s and remained a popular Australian brand until the late 20th century.'

Description of Content

Factory workers assembling electrical appliances. They stand at benches to the right of a cluttered factory floor. At the left are shelves of completed and boxed Hecla products. In the centre of the room are rows of heaters including Gem and Apex models.

Physical Description

Black and white photograph with white border. It is adhered with sticky tape at each corner to a buff paper backing.

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