My apologies for the recent turn of events, in which I have posted random thoughts on architectural analysis of musems and random photos of people painting in the Art Institute of Chicago. Over the last month this blog has lost its original purpose of telling you about one-of-a-kind attractions. So no more ramblings (at least for awhile) and back to weird, little museums.
The city of Diamond in southwest Missouri may be the birthplace of George Washington Carver, but it’s also the home of the world’s largest small electric appliance museum. Entering through J.R.’s Western Store, visitors can see Richard Larrison’s epic collection of small electric appliances, available for viewing at no charge (except for donations to help pay for the museum’s electricity bill!) during the store’s business hours. Although Larrison has been collecting these items for nearly thirty years, it was only about six years ago that he decided to put them on display at the back of his store. With over 3,500 small electric appliances, the museum is full of percolator coffee pots, waffle irons, hot plates, blenders, mixers, razors, hair dryers, popcorn poppers, and fans. There are more than 700 toasters alone, with names like “pinchers” and “floppers” and “swingers”. The museum has the first electric skillet, made by Westinghouse, a primitive-looking but hefty appliance with an electric cord protruding from the handle as well as the first toaster from 1908, which is just a naked frame with the heating wires dangerously exposed. Another interesting item is the “hot dog electrocuter”, which can fry five wieners at once. Now don’t expect to see that at your next summer barbecue.
