Missouri Michael over at Cul-de-sac Shack gets props from this fantastic find: The Peek-O Revolving Home Viewer — also known as a “peep hole” or more formally as a “door viewer.” What a wonderful story about determined sleuthing: 
Michael showed his cool front door on his blog. Folks asked about the peep hole. He disassembled the whole thing (the “hole thing” get it? tee hee). He found a Patent Number. Went online to the government’s patent website and found the “Peek-O Revolving Home Viewer,” which was patented on Dec. 20, 1949. Then, he did the google thing and found the manufacturer, who still makes Peek-O’s today, 60 years later. Is this a great country or what.
Yes, the Peek-O is still in production — made right here the U.S.A. by Home Protector Manufacturing Co., Inc., which has its plant in Whittier, Calif. The Peek-O is available in eight finishes (shown bel0w), fits doors 1-2″ thick, and is advertised as “the best door viewer available today.” 
The peep hole also has 140-degree visibility, which sounds freaky but functional. I am SO PROUD of you, Michael and your retro recon tenacity! You get an exclamation point! The Peek-O now goes right up there with the Dishmaster, Hudee Rings, and Pecky Cypress. Long live the Peek-O!
Where to buy the Peek-O
- Check out this website and google others.
Barclay says
These retro peeps are great. I also saw (I think) the same peephole apparatus as JD here – it was small on the outside, but on the inside it had a round viewer about 2.5 inches across that magnified the view. It seemed to have infinite focus, cause you could see the cars across the street. If anyone indeed finds this second type of peephole, I’d love to know. (thanks, Pam – in blogging about one peephole mystery, you uncovered another!)
loumeigs says
We have one in our front door! It’s great, I’m short. The Jefferson’s (the tv show) front door sported one for years! I was so excited to have their viewer and now I know what it is called! Thanks!!!