What fantastic machines.

I think fans must have been an unheard of luxury in that period in the UK (our summers being too short and mild). I've never seen one for sale over here, or even on display.

It's great having antique machines you can actually make practical use of.

Forgive me if it's explained in the text (I haven't read it all), but I'm assuming that the dials set with ball-bearings are designed to carry current. Does that mean you could get a shock if you touched them?

It may be because the UK is much cooler than much of the USA that there are not many fans there.  I know that we have some Antique Fan Collectors Association club members in the UK and some have some pretty nice fans.

I frequently use a couple of my antique fans from c.1900-1915, mostly in the cooler months to blow over the wood stove that I heat with.  They are reliable and can run for almost ever with a little simple lubrication.  Summtime would be a normal time to make use of them but here must north of San Francisco it is not very hot in the summer and quite dry.

I don't understand your "I'm assuming that the dials set with ball-bearings are designed to carry current" comment.  In this photo of a 1900 GE the two thumb terminals in the rear of the motor are hot and, should one touch them, a good shock might be in store.  I've learned to stay away from them, not a problem after I learned to look both ways before crossing the street or walking across a railroad track.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ElhC4NxsPF4/TgQN3Cwy8bI/AAAAAAAAAPI/yJxnYdJ0mVM/s1600/pan03.jpg

When I started to collect typewriters I thought it would be fun to add them to my fan blog (and may do some later on) or start a blog on the typewriters that I like.  But I really need to focus on the fan blog and get it going again.  I find it very satisfying doing the blog and it's also interesting to see where my audience is from; all over the world.

Steve

Stevetype33 wrote:

What fantastic machines.

I think fans must have been an unheard of luxury in that period in the UK (our summers being too short and mild). I've never seen one for sale over here, or even on display.

It's great having antique machines you can actually make practical use of.

Forgive me if it's explained in the text (I haven't read it all), but I'm assuming that the dials set with ball-bearings are designed to carry current. Does that mean you could get a shock if you touched them?

Now I see what you are asking about.  The fan is an 1898 Emerson "tripod" fan and the switch has hemispherical switch contacts.  There is a brass bar behind the switch handle that makes contact between a pair of opposite contacts.  I think that is would be pretty easy to get a good shock if your fingers went where they should not be.  It's not a problem for those who know how to protect themselves and are acutely aware of their surroundings.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zEaTvSNxA-s/Thp86dQmmOI/AAAAAAAAAQo/uvuFlagueus/s1600/CIMG0797.JPG

A year later model-
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XJaV2Yig1jI/ThqASmPesVI/AAAAAAAAAQw/ZNFKquhNEnI/s1600/Otto%2527sTripod+1898+switch.jpg

By 1908 I think all fan makers had discontinued exposed electrical terminals.
I guess that only dangers of typewriters are if you drop one on your foot.
 

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