- On View
- Cultural Expressions Gallery
- Museum Maps
- Objects in this Location
- Exhibition
- Cultural Expressions
- Manufactured by
- Solar Electric Manufacturing Co., American
- Used by
- McIntyre, Edna Stevens, American, 1917 - 2017
- Date
- 1920s
- Medium
- metal, ceramic, wood, plastic and cloth
- Dimensions
- a - Heater (with cord coiled at side): 4 1/2 × 9 3/4 × 13 in. (11.4 × 24.8 × 33 cm)
- a - Heater (with cord wrapped around it): 4 3/4 × 5 11/16 × 8 in. (12.1 × 14.4 × 20.3 cm)
- a - Heater (without cord): 4 3/4 × 5 3/16 × 7 3/8 in. (12.1 × 13.2 × 18.7 cm)
- a - cord outstretched (just cord): 7/8 × 60 7/8 × 1 in. (2.2 × 154.6 × 2.5 cm)
- b - comb: 3/4 × 7 3/16 × 1 1/4 in. (1.9 × 18.3 × 3.2 cm)
- Caption
- The items in this collection belonged to Edna Stevens McIntyre (May 22, 1917-). She was born in Washington, DC but relocated to Duquesne, PA at the age of 7 or 8 after her mother died. She was raised by a paternal aunt, Ida Stevens Johnson. Edna McIntyre is the aunt of the donor, Linda Crichlow White.
- Description
- An electric hot comb heater with a hot comb. The hot comb heater (48a) has a cylindrically-shaped body, with a stainless steel exterior and ceramic insulating tube interior. Hot combs are placed inside the central ceramic tube to be heated for use. The heater is bolted to a black-painted steel base. On one of the short ends of the base is a toggle switch with "OFF" to the left and "ON" to the right. On the opposite short end from the toggle switch is a cloth-covered electrical cord that extends out of the base. There are stainless steel rests along both of the long ends of the heater body, which provide spaces for additional hot combs to be placed. There is a stainless steel foot above the toggle switch that provides stability for the handle of the hot comb that is being heated in the interior. The center of the top of the heating element is imprinted with a logo reading "SOLAR". A metal plaque has been attached to the metal base with grommets, reading “SOLAR ELECTRIC MFG CO. / SAN FRANSISCO, CA / MADE IN U.S.A. 2AMPS 115 VOLTS SERIAL NO. 337094”. A paper board is inserted into the bottom of the metal base.
- The hot comb (48b) is a brass colored metal comb with black wooden handle. The handle has the initials “E. S. M.” carved into one side.
- Place used
- United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Accessories and Personal Effects
- Type
- equipment
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Linda Crichlow White in honor of her aunt, Edna Stevens McIntyre
- Object number
- 2011.59.48ab
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
- Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.




