RCA-Whirlpool's 1959 Miracle Kitchen in Moscow - 16mm Film

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cadman

cadman

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Something a little more exciting this week, we check-in on how the Kitchen Debate is unfolding with a trip to Moscow and a visit to the RCA-Whirlpool pavilion to see their "Miracle Kitchen" of 1959. Integrated heating and cooling, adjustable lighting, ice at your fingertips, and, wonder-of-wonders, a pop-up potato drawer!

 
KyletheApplianceGuy said:
Seriously so kool! I wonder if anything yet exists or it was all destroyed?
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I've wondered that, too and one day would like to put together a little history on it. Over the years WP updated or modified the original up to about 1970. This 1959 Miracle Kitchen was originally presented in the fall of 1958 and debuted in NY before traveling the country, but in its original form it had a large CRT over one of the kitchen counters instead of the small one on the control center, and it also featured the Tappan re-badged microwave oven on the backwall. I suspect some of these changes were made to accommodate an actual wall oven and conventional fridge for the baking activities in Moscow. After touring the globe and receiving annual styling updates, it was finally retired in 1963.

But if you look at the film "7000 Tomorrows", it seems they've re-purposed a number of the props, including the circular control center, now with a dishwasher that rises out of the center. The motorized cabinets also came along for the ride with surface changes and more woodgrain. Where it all went after that, is anyone's guess.
 
cadman said:
I've wondered that, too and one day would like to put together a little history on it. Over the years WP updated or modified the original up to about 1970. This 1959 Miracle Kitchen was originally presented in the fall of 1958 and debuted in NY before traveling the country, but in its original form it had a large CRT over one of the kitchen counters instead of the small one on the control center, and it also featured the Tappan re-badged microwave oven on the backwall. I suspect some of these changes were made to accommodate an actual wall oven and conventional fridge for the baking activities in Moscow. After touring the globe and receiving annual styling updates, it was finally retired in 1963.

But if you look at the film "7000 Tomorrows", it seems they've re-purposed a number of the props, including the circular control center, now with a dishwasher that rises out of the center. The motorized cabinets also came along for the ride with surface changes and more woodgrain. Where it all went after that, is anyone's guess.
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We can all "hope" that one day this set or even a Piece from it turns up for sale. That really would be the holy grail !
The whole Wood grain appeal truly was a 1970 theme!
 
I wonder how that set was powered. I'm guessing it was from a portable 120/240 volt split phase or 208Y/120 volt 3 phase 60Hz generator. But it makes me wonder if that demonstration set was ever modified to take 230 volt 50Hz power.

I've always wanted to hear various vintage north American appliances run on 50Hz but with everything speed compensated of course.
 
They wouldn’t sound right on 50hz as opposed to 60hz. 60hz is perfect since it’s the same amount of seconds in a minute, minutes in an hour.
 
Ok, I watched that video......
And I bet that those "common people" never got that rediculous motorized kitchen mess in their homes.
It's utterly rediculous, and all about "show' and impress.
Honestly, who'd say "Look Egor!..... my refrigerator is motorized and comes down out of the ceiling!"
Gimme a break.
Gimme reality.
 
phillymatt53 said:
Ok, I watched that video......
And I bet that those "common people" never got that rediculous motorized kitchen mess in their homes.
It's utterly rediculous, and all about "show' and impress.
Honestly, who'd say "Look Egor!..... my refrigerator is motorized and comes down out of the ceiling!"
Gimme a break.
Gimme reality.
Click to expand...

This is all about innovation. Engineers discovering what is possible within technical limits. It’s just like car prototypes. Some of the ideas never make it and other ideas become a standard. You get reality by going through this phase. Something you as a technician should know.
 
foraloysius said:
This is all about innovation. Engineers discovering what is possible within technical limits. It’s just like car prototypes. Some of the ideas never make it and other ideas become a standard. You get reality by going through this phase. Something you as a technician should know.
Click to expand...
Actually, it's not just "all about innovation" if one looks past their nose.
Sure, public displays like this one are radical portrayals of what is possible, along with eye-catching visuals with some "futuristic" styling thrown in.
However, it's not much different than going to an amusement park with impressive roller-coasters and colorful atmosphere.
It puts a seed of desire, excitement into human brains, in hopes of generating revenue for a company.
The subliminal mental manipulation of it all has been a marketing tool since before the Industrial Revolution.
And if you look at how its ultimately shaped society, you'll see that not everything has been beneficial to the masses.

Look at how some "innovations" are prone to abuse, such as smart phones, the internet, among other things.
Those things are touted as being convenient, worthy, important.
And they are, if used by respectable individuals.
However, the Reality is that sadly the world is not 100% respectable.
 

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