Lookie what just came up for sale on ebay: >> New Old Stock Electric Living Doorbell for sale on Ebay <<(affiliate link)
Lookie what’s new at my house: A “Medallion Home – Live Better Electrically” doorbell! The bell even stays lighted! Dear Husband LOVES it!
After 65 years, the plastic push-button on our original doorbell kinda caved in and disintegrated. When DH went to look at the issue, I remembered I had bought this NOS doorbell a whiiiiiiile ago. I kernoodled a bit re: where had I stashed it. And in about three tries, I found it. It hooked right up to the existing doorbell wires, easy peasy.
Seriously. My husband LOVES it.
He gazes lovingly every time we drive up to the house in the dark.
He wanted to make sure I. Did. Not. Throw. Out. The. Box.
As if.
The Medallion Home Live Better Electrically campaign was A Thing, back in the day. But I am so busy working on my speech for Las Vegas that I have not a minute to go find links that explain it. Can you help, dear readers? If you find any good stories, can you post the links in a comment?
Anyone else have memorabilia of this campaign? Or — something original on your house from it?
Ding dong!
Tyler Engle says
I have a tee-nincey medallion from the LBE campaign as well as a door knocker. Just as soon as I get a new front door, the new (old?) device is going up!
Kathy says
Very cool that you now have a retro medallion – you really earned such with all your good work and inspiration. I think all mcm homes should have a lighted doorbell. So happens we just installed one last weekend (learning the hard way about switching from surface to flush mounted) and it is so cheerful to see when you return home at night or walk up the driveway after getting the paper early.
Kathy
Bloomington, IN
Laurie Louise says
We, too, are living better electrically. Our house has a gold medallion on the doorbell. It’s a little worse for wear, but as soon as it rises to the top of our mile-long list, we’ll spiff it up. Our house was built by a family, not a developer, so I guess anyone could apply. Or maybe just buy the doorbell. Speaking of which, congrats on yours!
Barb S. says
My house was built in 1956 as a modern GE electric home. It was a model home for the area. We have *at least* four electrical outlets in every room and all the closets have a light fixture. Even the fireplace has an outlet!
My house is too early for the campaign, but I am still obsessed with GE Stuff (my kitchen) and Reddy Kilowatt, too! Here is a link to a couple cute items I have, and my GE MODEL HOME sign. Unfortunately it’s not original to the house, and I didn’t get a cool doorbell, either.
On a side note, my Gramma retired from GE Nela Park, and my DH works for the Illuminating Company, which was Reddy Kilowatt’s home here in Cleveland.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/28506787@N05/albums/72157665326572404
pam kueber says
Very nice collection!! That red sign!!!!
Mary Elizabeth says
Cute collection! Just don’t display the open house sign outside, or you may be overrun with visitors.
Pat says
We had a medallion on our home that our Dad built in the early 60’s. It was right next to next to the front door. Wonder if the later owners’ removed it, probably!
Scott says
Its beautiful! And the box. Gasp.
I felt like I had finally arrived when my modest had the lighted doorbell installed year before last, it was honestly something I’d wanted as long as I can remember.
Dana says
We had one of these on our house that was built in 1966 (my parents were the original owners). Almost all of the houses in our subdivision had these. I still see them on older homes, but they are becoming endangered. Lucky find for you!
Dale says
Our home in Ottawa IL was erected by my Dad’s company around 1960, as part of a subdivision, and I remember this medallion on the front doorbell. The house was a National Homes “component home” and originally built as one of the model homes I believe.
At about the same time, a nuclear power plant was built in Marsailles, IL, and I recall ad campaigns that said electricity was going to be so cheap they would almost be giving it away.
Michele says
It is such a delight that a retro-doorbell can make a person happy. I understand totally. Thanks for sharing your authenticity Pam!
pam kueber says
Yes, so many things are HARD, this was refreshingly easy.
Kara says
Totally rad.