1940's Servel-Electrolux Gas Refrigerator Coin Bank-USA

1940'S SERVEL ELECTROLUX GAS REFRIGERATOR MODEL PROMOTIONAL METAL COIN BANK
An miniature coin bank modeled after their "Gas" refrigerator.
Gas refrigerators have been in production since the early 1900’s and used in households as a standard common everyday appliance until the late 1950’s when electricity and electric refrigerators became the normal. Although they were not as common as an electric refrigerator after that , they did not go extinct. The popularity continued with the use being primarily in cabins, ranches, out buildings, and vacation homes that did not have on grid electricity available.
SERVEL was an American manufacturer of heating and cooling appliances, founded in 1922.
Founded by Colonel William McCurdy to produce refrigerators and named National Electric Products Company, the company adapted and shortened the name "SERVEL" from their slogan, "Serving Electricity." In 1925, the company bought American rights to a Swedish patent for a continuous absorption refrigerator and started to focus on the gas refrigeration market. The new model was available to consumers in 1926, and SERVEL quickly came to dominate the gas refrigerator market, its competition having all but disappeared within a few years. The most popular of the production units available in the 1940’s was the SERVEL Brand. Many different models were produced. The typical capacity of SERVEL was between 8 and 10 cubic feet. Some units were of a single door type with a small freezer section on the interior. More deluxe later models included double exterior doors with the freezer on top. Some rare models have double side by side doors. We have seen some models that have electric options such as interior lights and even electric ice makers. The units were very well insulated and made of mostly steel construction. Life span of the unit can easily reach over 60 years. From 1927 until 1956, when it ceased producing them, it was the only American manufacturer of gas refrigerators.
In 1939, Servel (then Servel Electrolux) exhibited its residential gas air conditioner at the New York World's Fair. The exhibit, called "Magic Caves of Ice", was staged in the "Court of Flame", a building dedicated to promoting the gas industry.
As the United States entered World War II, SERVEL shifted its manufacturing to support the war effort. In addition to cooking units and munitions, SERVEL built wings for the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. By the end of the war, they had produced over 6,000 pairs of wings for the US Air Force fighters.
Starting in 1949, National Electric started receiving classified research and development contracts for the government, resulting in the production of rockets and guided missiles, JATO, and sustained motor bodies for U.S. missiles and rockets, particularly the Nike family of guided missiles.
In 1991, the company's remaining brands and manufacturing facilities were sold to Robur Group, an Italian manufacturer.
Weighs 9.1 oz Metal
4" Tall
1 -3/4" Wide
This one would have originally came in off white or beige....this one has been painted Appliance White.
Small dent on front...not bad
stand in photo not included

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