Automatic Tea Service Machine [Teasmade Goblin 834B]
Maker and role
Goblin Electric Appliances Limited, Manufacturer
Production date
Circa 1970
See full details
Object detail
Accession number
2006.271
Production period
Description
A Teasmade Goblin is a machine for making tea automatically. Although crude versions existed in Victorian times, they only became practical with the availability of electric versions in the 1930s. They reached their peak in popularity in the 1960s and 1970s but have since declined to the extent that, in the few places they are sold new, they are a retro novelty item.
The entire unit consists of:
-1 Clock timer - cream colour with a round clock on the front. The clock has a silvered dial with stick markers. The minute and hour hands are cream in colour while the seconds hand is white. The shortest gold-coloured hand is the alarm hand and can be rotated by a black vertically positioned knob on the front. The alarm hand moves only in the counter-clockwise direction. On the right hand front panel are 2 black toggle switches. The top one is marked "Light" and the bottom one is marked "Tea". In the middle of these is printed "Alarm" with a black line pointed toward the rotary vertical knob that turns the alarm hand. The hour and minute hands can be turned by a small knurled knob on the back of the unit. The unit runs on AC (alternating current) at 200~250 volts, consuming 432~675 watts at 50 cycles per second.
-2 Teapot - white ceramic with a black lid that has a small hole on one side and a protrusion on the other to prevent it from tipping over. The teapot has a short wide spout and a looping handle. The spout has been designed to fit in under the curved metal spout of the kettle.
-3 Kettle - chromium and silvered with a solid black handle and black screw-type lid. It is fitted with a small curved spout which fits into the spout of the teapot (-2). All 4 sides of the kettle have a beehive pattern to increase surface area. The kettle has a capacity of 2 Pints (1.2 litres) and has its own serial number - 2557156 (this can be seen on the base of the kettle). Inside the kettle is the heating element which is spiralled and rests at the bottom of the kettle. Just below the spout, on the inside, is a small metal tab which says "Water Level". On the left of the handle is an outlet electric plug that leads to an insulated wire which is connected into the base of the unit (-1). Another electrical outlet leads to a long wire that is attached to a black 3-pin plug that connects to the wall power outlet.
-4 Teacosy - cotton, printed with a floral design and slightly padded for insulation, the teacosy has a black elastic band on one side to hold it in place over the teapot (-2) and a press button stud for a snug fit.
-5 Instruction leaflet - a triple foldout leaflet with simple illustrated instructions on the use of the Teasmade.
-6 Pamphlet to promote the sales of "Teasmade Companion", a tea set from the Royal Albert range to compliment the Teasmade. There is an Order Form on the back of the pamphlet.
The entire unit consists of:
-1 Clock timer - cream colour with a round clock on the front. The clock has a silvered dial with stick markers. The minute and hour hands are cream in colour while the seconds hand is white. The shortest gold-coloured hand is the alarm hand and can be rotated by a black vertically positioned knob on the front. The alarm hand moves only in the counter-clockwise direction. On the right hand front panel are 2 black toggle switches. The top one is marked "Light" and the bottom one is marked "Tea". In the middle of these is printed "Alarm" with a black line pointed toward the rotary vertical knob that turns the alarm hand. The hour and minute hands can be turned by a small knurled knob on the back of the unit. The unit runs on AC (alternating current) at 200~250 volts, consuming 432~675 watts at 50 cycles per second.
-2 Teapot - white ceramic with a black lid that has a small hole on one side and a protrusion on the other to prevent it from tipping over. The teapot has a short wide spout and a looping handle. The spout has been designed to fit in under the curved metal spout of the kettle.
-3 Kettle - chromium and silvered with a solid black handle and black screw-type lid. It is fitted with a small curved spout which fits into the spout of the teapot (-2). All 4 sides of the kettle have a beehive pattern to increase surface area. The kettle has a capacity of 2 Pints (1.2 litres) and has its own serial number - 2557156 (this can be seen on the base of the kettle). Inside the kettle is the heating element which is spiralled and rests at the bottom of the kettle. Just below the spout, on the inside, is a small metal tab which says "Water Level". On the left of the handle is an outlet electric plug that leads to an insulated wire which is connected into the base of the unit (-1). Another electrical outlet leads to a long wire that is attached to a black 3-pin plug that connects to the wall power outlet.
-4 Teacosy - cotton, printed with a floral design and slightly padded for insulation, the teacosy has a black elastic band on one side to hold it in place over the teapot (-2) and a press button stud for a snug fit.
-5 Instruction leaflet - a triple foldout leaflet with simple illustrated instructions on the use of the Teasmade.
-6 Pamphlet to promote the sales of "Teasmade Companion", a tea set from the Royal Albert range to compliment the Teasmade. There is an Order Form on the back of the pamphlet.
Marks
GOBLIN Printed
GOBLIN / TEASMADE / GOBLIN (B.V.C.) Ltd / MADE IN THE U.K. / MODEL 834B / SERIAL 87344 / VOLTS 200-250 / WATTS 432-675 / A.C. / C/S 50 Maker's Plate
GOBLIN / TEASMADE / GOBLIN (B.V.C.) Ltd / MADE IN THE U.K. / MODEL 834B / SERIAL 87344 / VOLTS 200-250 / WATTS 432-675 / A.C. / C/S 50 Maker's Plate
Media/Materials
Credit Line
Goblin Electric Appliances Limited. Circa 1970. Automatic Tea Service Machine [Teasmade Goblin 834B], 2006.271. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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