Thank goodness for
The Woman's Hour. It's one of my favourite programs to listen to on my iPod while out walking with Deacon. Jenni Murray and Jane Garvey are like having a sister, a friend, a teacher and sometimes even a Mum tell you what's what depending on the subject matter. On the episode I listened to yesterday, Jenni mentioned a Teasmade. I was completely ignorant!
Being one whose ears are constantly pricking up at the mention of anything social history-related I made straight for Google once I got in. The coffeemaker is commonplace but I never realized there has been an appliance that automatically makes tea which has existed for decades. Apparently, Victorian era versions involved an open flame with disastrous results at times. You can't beat a cup of tea first thing in the morning but not at all costs! So for the benefit of others who are also in the dark about this fascinating piece of equipment I'm posting a model from the 1950s and a newer version. If you would like to read more about their history, simply click
here.
I'm shocked, Darlene. Never heard of a Teasmade! My old flatmate had one years ago - which rather defeated the object of tea in bed, at least for her, because she'd pop into my room with the second cup. Trouble is, and especially in summer, the milk would nearly always go sour overnight. They were kind of a joke even then (this must have been the late 70s) and rather old-fashioned.
ReplyDeleteMy granny had one in the early 1980s. ISTR it was a bit of a faff to get it set up before bed.
ReplyDeleteHow cool! I've never heard of these before. I really should start listening to podcasts again--I'm sure I would love this program. I am just so lazy about loading them from itunes. May be inspired this year, though... :)
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful pictures. Thank you for sharing. When growing up, if you wanted a cup of tea when you woke up then get up and make it. My parents considered these lazy items. Bit like buying already grated cheese.
ReplyDeleteOh the Teasmade -- what a blast from the past. Not that I ever had one, but they were very common when I was growing up. The british do love their early morning cuppa.
ReplyDeletemary, Shocking indeed! I can't believe I haven't come across this applicance in a Persephone publication yet. At first I googled 'tea's maid' but was eventually set straight. And I was wondering about the milk, thanks for filling me in on that...ugh.
ReplyDeleteDorian, Thanks for stopping by and yes, I'd have to agree with you! I suppose though, say you had a broken leg and your partner could do the faffing bit it would be worth it in the morning.
Danielle, If you're ever feeling inclined, stop by the BBC podcast site. You would love the Guardian Books program and Open Books!
Jo, Hahaha...sometimes that draw of a fresh cup of tea is the only thing that gets your feet on the floor some mornings. And yes, I grate my own cheese, such an industrious lady!
harriet, As I mentioned to Mary, it's surprising not to have run into one of these in at least one Persephone publication let alone the many other titles from that era. Glad you enjoyed the memory!
Hahaha, you make me laugh Darlene. I've never known anyone who used them.
ReplyDeleteRe grated cheese - I use my food processor to grate it these days - amazing!
Verity, To know me is to love me and my silly ways.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that tip about the cheese. Last week I had to grate 2 cups of cheddar for mac & cheese, my arm was killing me!
Hilarious! My friend's mum had one of these. I think my Nan did too! A bit of a faff though if you ask me - and who has time for tea in bed these days?! I have to wait until I get to work for my first tea of the day!
ReplyDeleteWell, Darlene, I must say this is an incredibly educational posting today. How I love to visit my daily blogs and find social history like this.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I have to add, that Victorian version sounds like quintessential Steampunk.
ReplyDeleteSorry to be so blown away by this thing, but I just Googled "teasmade" and clicked on Images. Fascinating!
ReplyDeleteThing is,I would never use it myself, and of course I grate my own cheese.
bookssnob, Well there's a topic of conversation the next time you're speaking with your Nan! And how many citizens do you mow down as you make your way to that cup of tea from Monday to Friday? That would be a desperate journey, Rachel!
ReplyDeleteSusan, Glad to be of service! You just watch, this fascinating contraption will be mentioned somewhere in the next little while and we'll twig straight away. It usually happens that way don't you find?
Darlene, do you know you can still buy Teasmades? Retro is very fashionable in the UK these days!
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog (via LibraryThing) and will be reading it regularly from now on...
My parents bought us one in the 1970s as an anniversary present. They had one so thought we'd like one. But they lived in a draughty old house and it was lovely for them to wake up to a cup of tea without going down to a cold kitchen, whereas we had a centrally heated bungalow and the kitchen was only a few steps away and we could draw fresh water and get cold milk from the fridge. It was a bit of a novelty at first but really more trouble than it was worth!
ReplyDeleteMargaret P