The manual for my early 50's Westinghouse refrigerator has a small section in it that talks about child safety and old ice boxes. It says to lock up the ice box you're replacing with your new Westinghouse as it was possible for a child to accidentally lock themselves in. Thought it was interesting that it was certainly a worry even way back then.
3:19 Excellent comparison of Admiral’s “Life Guard” to modern-day cars with inside trunk releases. Unfortunately, the same that occasionally happened with vintage refrigerators is still happening with cars manufactured prior to 2001. A few years ago, a child in a town near me was playing in a family member’s car - unlocked and parked in the driveway- and managed to lock himself in the trunk on a day when temperatures approached 100°F. Sadly, it was quite some time before his body was discovered, and the local news put out numerous warnings during the weeks that followed.
I don't know the ones on the market in Africa at the time,but in the European Southeast Asian colonies those refrigerators came with locks on the handles - a measure preventing the servants taking anything out without permission.In the fifties there were still a lot of places without electricity so I remember the Electrolux/Servel kerosine models for instance - they all had locked handles.And to this day all freezer boxes have locks,too.
Great video. I would only add how the act applies today as a clarifier. Safe to own and use these old models but if sending to the scrap the latches must be removed/disabled. And yes I know you touched on it. I have had plenty of folks think mine is illegal. Now I can point them here.
Crazy, I was just thinking about this subject yesterday, because I bought a 1953 Philco fridge and I was wondering if that was one of the fridges that could have happened with, but now I know that answer! Thank you. It’s just interesting to know. It seems that the old fridges that locked from the inside like that seem to seal really well.
That’s an interesting cutoff date for having a mechanical latch, as I used own (regrettably sold in a yard sale about oh, 7 years ago) a SubZero standup freezer that had I think 5 separate freezer compartments, divided by individual aluminum doors behind main front door, which had a VERY MUCH ‘latching’ handle… had all original paperwork for it; was made in 1958. I had intentions of one day fully restoring it but, just had way too many projects & space became an issue.. still is. I saved it from neighbors house across the easement from where I grew up, after he passed away back ‘round 2006… his family was going to chuck it; he purchased it brand new back when he lived in Rockford, Ill. then. Anyways, rather than dwell to much on whatever I have had to part with in the past, I try to focus on what I currently do own & continue to enjoy restoring. Latest old fridge project, a 1927 GE Monitor Top model P-72 DeLuxe (biggest cabinet version with single door; 3 hinges).
Oh neat, most of my (large) family lives in rockford or belvidere. I waitressed at steak n shake the day it opened, and later barnes and noble off state (last i knew its now public library). Lived in texas for 23yrs now though.
@@Vintage55Restorations It did not. Just a sizable handle you’d pivot out & downwards to unlatch it.. slam shut to latch or, like I do w/vintage fridges or freezers, carefully close door w/said handle in down angle & release it when doors’ closed enough for latch to engage.
Great video!
The manual for my early 50's Westinghouse refrigerator has a small section in it that talks about child safety and old ice boxes. It says to lock up the ice box you're replacing with your new Westinghouse as it was possible for a child to accidentally lock themselves in. Thought it was interesting that it was certainly a worry even way back then.
Actually the more of these we can put back into use rather then sitting empty the less chance of a child getting hurt 😊
3:19 Excellent comparison of Admiral’s “Life Guard” to modern-day cars with inside trunk releases. Unfortunately, the same that occasionally happened with vintage refrigerators is still happening with cars manufactured prior to 2001. A few years ago, a child in a town near me was playing in a family member’s car - unlocked and parked in the driveway- and managed to lock himself in the trunk on a day when temperatures approached 100°F. Sadly, it was quite some time before his body was discovered, and the local news put out numerous warnings during the weeks that followed.
I love these vintage appliances
I don't know the ones on the market in Africa at the time,but in the European Southeast Asian colonies those refrigerators came with locks on the handles - a measure preventing the servants taking anything out without permission.In the fifties there were still a lot of places without electricity so I remember the Electrolux/Servel kerosine models for instance - they all had locked handles.And to this day all freezer boxes have locks,too.
Great video. I would only add how the act applies today as a clarifier. Safe to own and use these old models but if sending to the scrap the latches must be removed/disabled. And yes I know you touched on it. I have had plenty of folks think mine is illegal. Now I can point them here.
Illegal to produce and illegal to dispose of improperly, not illegal to have!
Crazy, I was just thinking about this subject yesterday, because I bought a 1953 Philco fridge and I was wondering if that was one of the fridges that could have happened with, but now I know that answer! Thank you. It’s just interesting to know. It seems that the old fridges that locked from the inside like that seem to seal really well.
Sensacional essa geladeira!
That’s an interesting cutoff date for having a mechanical latch, as I used own (regrettably sold in a yard sale about oh, 7 years ago) a SubZero standup freezer that had I think 5 separate freezer compartments, divided by individual aluminum doors behind main front door, which had a VERY MUCH ‘latching’ handle… had all original paperwork for it; was made in 1958. I had intentions of one day fully restoring it but, just had way too many projects & space became an issue.. still is. I saved it from neighbors house across the easement from where I grew up, after he passed away back ‘round 2006… his family was going to chuck it; he purchased it brand new back when he lived in Rockford, Ill. then. Anyways, rather than dwell to much on whatever I have had to part with in the past, I try to focus on what I currently do own & continue to enjoy restoring. Latest old fridge project, a 1927 GE Monitor Top model P-72 DeLuxe (biggest cabinet version with single door; 3 hinges).
Oh neat, most of my (large) family lives in rockford or belvidere. I waitressed at steak n shake the day it opened, and later barnes and noble off state (last i knew its now public library). Lived in texas for 23yrs now though.
@@Zoot_of_Anthrax east or west of the i-35? Or, wet half or dry half?
@@seanbatiz6620 just outside dallas. So wet half i suppose?
I may have been produced before the cutoff sold after. But also if it has a key locking handle it's exempt
@@Vintage55Restorations It did not. Just a sizable handle you’d pivot out & downwards to unlatch it.. slam shut to latch or, like I do w/vintage fridges or freezers, carefully close door w/said handle in down angle & release it when doors’ closed enough for latch to engage.
Where are you located!!! ? And do you sell these
Email us through our website vintage55restorations.com :)