Just flipping through Black Friday ads, even though I'm a 100% Cyber Monday shopper, but get this...

[superocd]

...I saw a Tappan electric range in JCPenney's Black Friday ad! I had to do a double take!

I thought Tappan was no longer here. Not something I'm necessarily interested in as my preference for modern kitchen appliances are MOL Whirlpools with just a few niceties but nothing over the top, which I have now, but still, it's pretty interesting. I thought Tappan died out by the late '90s.

I mean, we here all know it's just a "name" on a BOL Electrolux/Frigidaire product, but I never thought I'd see the name Tappan thrown around in 2017. I wonder why Electrolux didn't just brand it a Frigidaire, though it is nice for brand names of the past to live on, though my millenial cohorts would probably raise their eyebrows and assume that it's made in China or something because they've never heard of it.

I'm surprised Hotpoint and Roper are still around, same with Amana. I wonder if there are other ancient-history home appliance brand names out there that are quietly being sold and produced (or rather, relabeled), like Gibson, Kelvinator, Crosley, Hardwick, Caloric, Modern Maid, and so on. Magic Chef still exists, but only as Walmart special $40 microwaves and $150 chest freezers.

 

[joeekaitis]

From time to time, others rise from the dead . . .

 

 

. . . and briefly populate the Major Appliance aisles:

 

White-Westinghouse, Gibson, Kelvinator.

 

Probably a trademark "use it or lose it" requirement in the USA.

 

[petek]

The Crosley name is still a going concern.  

Home

America's Iconic Brand! All of your appliance needs in one great place!

www.crosley.com

 

[ken]

From their site from the link above

Crosley History

America’s iconic brand, Crosley, has a long-standing history of innovation and quality. From our beginnings, with epic strides in electronics, to today with world-class appliances, we have always prided ourselves on bringing high-quality, value-priced products to market. We proudly provide our exclusively branded appliances through a group of independently owned distributors and retailers. By doing so, we ensure you will always receive superior service and exceptional value.



THE CROSLEY LEGACY

1920

Crosley's first radio was a crystal radio named "HARKO". Introduced as a low priced radio at $20.00 retail. It was a roaring success and made radio available to the masses. This life changing innovation earned powell crosley the reputation as "The Henry Ford of Radio".

1921

Crosley’s frist radio broadcast station was 8xy



1923

Crosley radio station reached 500,000 watts, the most powerful station in the world!



1929-1930

Crosley designed its own airplane called the "Moonbeam"and was the first to broadcast radio from a plane.

1930

First car radio known as the Crosley "Roamio"

1933

Crosley introduced a patented shelvador “shelves in the door” refrigerator. Today almost all refrigerators use this feature.



1939

Crosley introduced the first car with disc brakes. Crosley started TV broadcasting

1940

Crosley introduced the first fax machine called the "Reado".

1943

Crosley transmitter, during World War II, became the nations propaganda station with it’s 500,000 watts that could be heard in most parts of the world.

1947

Crosley began regular television broadcasting, telecasting 20 hours a week. This includes broadcasting the world’s first baseball game!

1954

Crosley pioneered the first portable TV that became the best selling set in the industry.


1957

Crosley WLW began telecasting color programs. Crosley's own Cincinnati Reds was the first sports program to be broadcast in color!

1972

WLW-TV Crosley Broadcasting consists of 5 TV and 6 Radio stations



And, our legacy continues to grow...



Today, we have over 3,000 independent dealers that are waiting to show you the latest Crosley products.

 

[cuffs054]

didn't they make the "ICY BALL" also? Would love to see one in action.

 

[fan-of-fans]

I saw those Tappan ranges at Lowes, they looked similar with white/black but were smooth tops. A friend of mine has an all white smoothtop Tappan from about 8 years ago or so. I thought it was odd seeing that brand too.

A few years ago I know the Tappan name was being used on some central HVAC units.

I have seen Crosley appliances at a local appliance store.

Amana these days is basically rebranded Whirlpool, another local appliance store was selling gas and electric apartment size ranges with the Amana name.

I haven't seen any of the other brands on anything new. Caloric was supposed to be coming back and the name was bought by investors, but never came to fruition.

 

[tolivac]

The WLW 500Kw transmitter still exists today-but is nonfunctional.The original Crosley 50Kw driver transmitter still works and is occasionally used by WLW.Like most other modern 50Kw AM stations they now have a Harris-Radio One solid state 50Kw transmitter.The WLW site is a museam for older transmitters.

 

[circlew]

The rental house I've lived in has a Tappan range just like the one shown. The landlady purchased it the year before last at Lowe's. Have to say it is far better than the Admiral (Maytag - Magic Chef) it replaced. The instruction book has no mention of Tappan, only Frigidaire.

Rex, the WLW transmitter site and museum is about 20 miles from me. Have you ever been to it?

 

[tolivac]

WLW-haven't been there-but have read information about the plant-would be neat to see.It was on the list of sites that had purchased new Harris/Radio One transmitters.The WLW place probably has the largest collection of 50Kw transmitters of anybody out there.Glad the 500Kw transmitter is still there-its just for show now-parts are no longer available for it and it is not legal for WLW to use it.Also the PCB oil has been removed from the power transformers and modulation transformers-making them unusable.And there is on the 'net a owners manual for that 500Kw transmitter built as a joint project between GE and RCA.Good reading-a fountain was used as the heat sink for the water cooling system.Now its just a frog pond!And there is a lot of YouTube videos of the famous WLW plant.Great thing for radio and transmitter fans.

 

[johnrk]

Crosley

Powell Crosley was a most interesting man, a real American business model in the classic sense. His drive and imagination were well known during his lifetime, which unfortunately ended in 1961.

Manufactured goods labeled 'Crosley' have no more in common with him than 'Disney' has with good old Walt.