Summary
Photograph of male and female factory workers assembling Hecla products, possibly at the Little Collins Street or Little Bourke Street premises in Melbourne. The staff sit in an open factory floor with little mechanical equipment. The room is lit and ventilated by large windows along the right hand wall.
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
Photograph of a factory floor. Workers, both men and women, sit in production lines along wooden benches. They are assembling Hecla domestic appliances including heaters and ceramic kettles.
Physical Description
Black and white photograph with white border. It is adhered with sticky tape at each corner to a buff paper backing.
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Donation from Mr Phil Wollen, 22 Oct 2004
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Place & Date Depicted
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Organisation Depicted
Hecla Electrics Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, circa 1920
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Format
Photograph, Black & White
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Inscriptions
Rubber stamp imprint, Reverse, Purple ink: 'PHOTO / 154 Lit. Collins Street / 4358 Cent. MELB.' Rubber stamp in cursive display font, Reverse, Blue ink: 'C J Frazer' Handwritten, Reverse, Graphite: 'Picture of the / Light Assembly / [Division]
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Brand Names
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Classification
Manufacturing & industry, Domestic appliances, Manufacturing processes
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Image Dimensions - Photograph
206 mm (Width), 151 mm (Height)
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Keywords
Domestic Appliances, Electric Appliances, Factories, Factory Workers, Manufacturing, Manufacturing Workers, Workers, Working Conditions