"The Story of Frigidaire: The Automatic Refrigerator" floor demonstration display catalog
Creation: 1929 MayAbstract
Frigidaire Corporation manufactures and distributes major appliances for domestic and industrial use. By 1929, Frigidaire sold one million refrigerators. This item is a floor demonstration display catalog, a well-illustrated sales pitch for purchasing Frigidaire's refrigerators. It includes text, diagrams, color plates of Frigidaire models, and black-and-white photographs.
Dates
- Creation: 1929 May
Creator
- Frigidaire Corporation (Organization)
Extent
1 volume(s)
Physical Description
1 atlas portfolio ; 18 x 24 in., containing 32 leaves, linen-backed.
Historical Note
Frigidaire Corporation manufactures and distributes major appliances for domestic and industrial use. The company was founded as Guardian Frigerator Company in 1916 by Nathaniel B. Wales (1883-1974) and Alfred Mellowes (1879-1960) for their invention of the self-contained electric refrigerator. In 1918, William C. Durant (1861-1947), the co-founder of General Motors, purchased the company and adopted the name Frigidaire in 1919. In 1921, the firm's headquarters moved from Detroit, Michigan, to Dayton, Ohio, and transferred as a division to the Delco-Light Company, a General Motors (GM) subsidiary. Delco-Light manufactured individual electric generators for rural use.
In 1926, the Frigidaire business overshadowed the sale of Delco-Light units, and GM separated the two operations. The Frigidaire Corporation became a new subsidiary. By 1929, Frigidaire sold one million refrigerators.
In January 1979, General Motors announced it had sold Frigidaire to White Consolidated Industries of Cleveland, Ohio. The Frigidaire name, product line, and distribution system continued. In 1986, White Consolidated Industries was acquired by Electrolux, a Swedish company and leader in the appliance industry. In 1991, Frigidaire Appliance Company supplanted White Consolidated Industries as the Electrolux subsidiary.
Scope and Contents
This item is a floor demonstration display catalog, a well-illustrated sales pitch for purchasing Frigidaire's refrigerators. It includes text, diagrams, color plates of Frigidaire models, and black-and-white photographs. It supplies talking points for the sales personnel, including the beautiful cabinet, quietness of the compressor, few moving parts, exclusive "Cold Control," large quantity of ice production, reduction of food spoilage, more than 750,000 satisfied owners, and General Motors' buying power reducing costs. The presentation points out the inherent health risks to families, especially children, from spoiled foods. Frigidaire also pioneered specially designed cubbies for holding fruits, vegetables, ice makers, and more to aid the household.
Access Restrictions
No restrictions on access; this collection is open for research.
Language of Materials
English
Finding Aid & Administrative Information
- Title:
- "The Story of Frigidaire: The Automatic Refrigerator" floor demonstration display catalog
- Author:
- Laurie Sather
- Date:
- 2022
- Description rules:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description:
- English
- Script of description:
- Latin
Repository Details
Repository Details
Part of the Audiovisual Collections Repository
