Summary

Black and white photograph of Hecla Electrics products ready for distribution from the Hecla distribution office in Castlereagh Street, Sydney, circa 1930. The products include Hecla electrical fires (heaters) and electric cookers.

Hecla followed a policy of supplying solely through trade channels rather than dealing direct with customers. While losing immediate sales, the stance earnt Hecla the good will of retailers and tradespeople, and thus the potential of recommendation for sales. Hecla's rapid expansion through the 1920s is an indication of the success of this strategy as well as the quality of the products.

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

Image of two men working in a factory despatching area. Along the left wall are packed, labelled and numbered crates of products, along the right are shelves of boxed and unboxed domestic electrical appliances. In the foreground an employee is manoeuvering a crate on a grain barrow. Oil stains on the concrete floor suggest that delivery vans would collect crates from within the despatching room.

Physical Description

Black and white photograph with white border attached to a buff paper backing by sticky tape at each corner.

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