American kitchen door chimes, 1930s-1960s

[Joana]

Hi,

My name is Joana and I am currently undertaking a History of Design PhD on doorbells and chimes. I was wondering if anyone has stories/memories to share about 1930s-1960s kitchen door chimes? I am especially interested in Rittenhouse's 1949 Tulip Time and NuTone's Time-Chime (1946 version). But any story about any kitchen door chime from this period will be very useful. I am looking for general information about how these door chimes were bought/installed and used in kitchens between the 1930s and 1960s.

If you have any stories that you would like to share, coming either from your personal experience, clients, or family, please send me an email to [mod edit: personal E-mail removed to protect privacy. Please use PM (conversation) to reply]



Thanks so much in advance for all the help,

Joana

 

[Delta Prime]

My name is Joana and I am currently undertaking a History of Design PhD on doorbells and chimes

Does That statment makes this Homework?
If yes ; than you must show us your attempt by telling us one of you're
Previous collected stories Please...

 

[Minder]

A little earlier technology than you are specifying, but it takes me back to my early years in the UK when I visited my grandparents, they had an old house that still had the bells in the kitchen hallway operated by pull cranks in each room of the house.
Originally this area would have been in the servants quarters!.
Later in life when I would become involved in wiring these old homes, we used the channels that were previously used for the bell pull cables, and lead gas lighting pipes to carry the new wiring!
( BTW, Any scrap lead piping I happened to pull out , was a source of 'Beer Money' for me!!)

 

[Martaine2005]

My sisters house still has the box of bells with room names on it in the basement flat. It was the servants quarters. They were pulley and crank until I removed it all and used the void for cat5 and new services throughout.
I’m going there today, I’ll see if I can get a photo.

Martin

 

[Delta Prime]

It was the servants quarters. They were pulley and crank until I removed it all and used the void for cat5 and new services throughout.

Originally this area would have been in the servants quarters!.

Well... not all of us live in castles..
All this talk about servants quarters.

 

[Minder]

Well... not all of us live in castles..
All this talk about servants quarters.

Things have gone down hill since, It's a job to get good help anymore!