The History of Electric Fans

Photo: gracey

Electric Fans: A Brief History

The first fans marketed in the United States were made of brass, and then later made of steel.

The wire cages that surrounded the blades were not child-safe, since even an adult could easily get hands and fingers through the frame.

This resulted in many accidents, especially for young children who did not understand the danger involved in reaching inside to touch the whirling metal blades.



Since then, safety has become a concern, and companies that make fans have begun to make fans that are difficult, if not impossible, for children to reach into.

Most of the time, fans are now made with plastic blades, too. While they do not last as long as the old metal table top fans, they are much, much safer.

This prevents the type injury possible with the first fans sold in the late 1800s and early 1900s.



Dyson Bladeless Fan



Actually, according to Steve Cunningham, the wire cage was not installed to prevent injury to people, but rather to prevent damage to the fan blades and the motor.

Even so, children should be warned of the danger of fans, especially of fans with metal blades. Keep fans away from small children. Ensure their safety!

 

The only really safe fan for small children is one that has tiny openings in the wire or plastic cage, or one that has no blades at all, such as Dyson Bladeless Fans.

 

History of the Electrical or Mechanical Fan

 

If you want to know more about the history of the electrical fan, also called a mechanical fan, check out some of these links:

• Mechanical Fan
• A Brief History of Fans
• History of the Electrical Fan
• Hunter History
• Vintage Electric Fans
• Antique & Vintage Electric Fans / Water Powered Fans & Other Alternative Fuel Powered Fans

Do You Need Fans in Winter?

Antique Phone Fan

Fans in Winter? Yes!

 

We all know that fans help with air conditioning in the summer, but did you know that fans can help keep your house warmer in the winter?

By circulating the air, you will keep all the warm air from rising to the ceiling where it does your family no good.

Decorative fans redistribute the air while adding some flair to your décor. Fans in the kitchen can help distribute warm air from the oven to the rest of the house when you are baking.

 

Another way to redistribute heat is to place a fan in front of wall heaters, fireplaces, or heating vents to circulate the heated air through a room--just be sure to point the fan away from the heat source.

Rooster Country Figurine Fan

In winter, we often run a small fan in our hallway to pull heat into the back of the house. It helps keep the house comfortable, and we can lower the thermostat, which saves money!

 

Baking is one of my favorite things to do in the winter. It helps keep the house warmer, and everyone loves warm, fresh-baked bread or cookies when the air is nippy.

Using my small table top fan, I take advantage of the heat coming off the oven to help the central heat keep the house toasty warm! It really helps with the heating bills.

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Did you know?

Fans help keep your house warmer in the winter
by circulating warm air throughout the house.

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Decorate Your Home with Unique Fans

Frog Decorative Fan

The first time I ever saw a decorative tabletop fan, I was enthralled with the idea of unique fans that add to home décor.

 

I was visiting the home of an elderly friend. Her fan was the topic of many conversations over the years, and she always enjoyed talking about it.

 

It was in the shape of a frog. She loved frogs and had glass frogs, ceramic frogs, frog candle holders, stuffed animal frogs, and brass frogs, too. The fan was an integral part of her room décor.

 

Since that time, I have seen fans in the shapes of other animals in friends homes. The horse fan looks great in a mid-west themed den. There are even cowboy boot fans!

 

Figurine table top fans are practical as well as decorative, since using a fan at the same time as running the air conditioner helps move conditioned air around the house. They are also great for college dorm rooms!

 

There is a figure table top fan that would fit almost any décor, from the bird lover's living room, to the little girl's mermaid decorated bedroom.
 

I think my favorites are the horse, lion, owl, and peacock fans. Now I just need to figure out where I will put them all!

Decorative fans

are perfect for dorm rooms.

They help keep the air moving for

a more comfortable study environment.