In the house where I live (is US, built 1933), there are at least 5 different types of electrical outlet. Two of these are very old and have plug areas that accept no plug I have ever seen. One is only 90v (not standard 110v). It made me wonder what different electrical outlets have been used in homes, and the rationale behind their design. I had hoped to find something on the web detailing the history of domestic electricity but no luck.

Besides weird old American plugs, one always hears stories about the variety of electrical outlets to be found abroad. No doubt old houses in France or Russia have their own idiosyncratic outlets from times past. Why are there different plug types in different coutnries? This would be in the museum as well.

Yeah, I am one exciting guy, musing late at night on electrical outlets.
-- bungston, Oct 12 2003

Electrical Outlet in a Museum. http://www.charlesm...l/pages/wall-05.htm
[Amos Kito, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 06 2004]

The (London) Science museum has some of these in its basement, with matching appliances like wooden fridges, etc.
-- hippo, Oct 12 2003


Could I get a souvenir pencil sharpener in the shape of a travel adaptor?
-- friendlyfire, Jan 21 2004


How about a museum of eccentric plug-in devices from around the world? Or maybe a museum of snyde comments from meddlesome @#?!*&# who live to police sites like this from comments they don't think pass muster??
-- Count Vermiculae, Apr 02 2005



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