Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Robbins & Myers List 1404 desk fans, 1911-1917



Introduced for 1911 and continued in production through at least 1916-1917 is what I consider to be one of the best and simplest fans of the period, the Robbins & Myers "List 1404" model 14, three versions of which are shown in the photo above.  A similar 16" fan was also made, the List 1411 and 14110 which, other than the fan size, was basically the same as the 12" model.

Left to right are the original 1911 model (one of my favorite fans and often a daily user) with a guard using a square back ring.  This is the same cage used on later production versions of the R&M "lollipop" fan.  An early lollipop fan is shown below.  For 1912 the guard of the 1404 was changed to a two ring cage using a round wire back ring and the same common flag cage badge that R&M had already been using for a few years.  For the final few years of the 1404 the List No. became 14040 and was, basically, the same fan as the 1404 but with a felt covered base plate.  The last year of production was actually after R&M introduced their new drawn steel fan motors for 1916 and appears to have had a cage with the new, smaller solid cage badge as shown on the right of the photo above.   The fan on the right has its original felt on the base.  All three fans have their original paint, finish on the brass, and head wires.

Was the 14040 continued in production for a year or more after the stamped steel motor modles came out or am I seeing the result of some cage substitutions?  I have found some new information from the Toronto, Canada The Electrical News, below, that shows the old cast iron R&M fans were sold alongside the new 1916 stamped steel models.  This would account for the small round badge on the latest List 1404 models.  It appears that the 12" and 16" fans for 1916, both the old cast iron models and new stamped steel models, used the old flag badge while only the smaller (stamped steel) fans used the new round solid cage badge.  1917 models, both iron and steel had the newer round cage badge and a brass cage.   For 1918 and possibly 1919 R&M's larger fans had a wrapped steel cage followed by a welded steel cage c.1920.

Feb. 15, 1916 The Electrical News, Toronto, Canada
showing that both cast iron models and the new drawn steel models were available at this date.


One can closely, if not exactly, date the List 1404 and 14040 models as follows:
   1911    square back ring cage with open flag badge  (1404)
1912-1914 double ring cage with open flag badge  (1404)
1915-1916  double ring cage with open flag badge  (14040)
   1917    double ring cage with smaller, solid cage badge  (14040)

Robbins & Myers was one of the oldest fan companies, having begun the manufacture of direct current ceiling fans in 1897 in Springfield, Ohio under the ownership of Chandler Robbins and James Myers.  Direct current desk fans were added in 1899.  After acquiring a patent from Charles Eck for an oscillating fan mechanism, R&M put into production their unique DC "lollipop" oscillator in 1904, followed a few years later by an AC version.  A sheet brass disk in front of the fan was acted upon by the air from the fan causing the fan to oscillate back and forth.  Stops on the base of the fan were contacted by a pin at the bottom of the lollipop shaft to shift the disc to the other side, resulting in the fan oscillating to the other side.

An early, c.1905 R&M DC "lollipop" fan produced well before the R&M List 1404 models were introduced in 1911.

R&M had been making only direct current fans until 1908 when their first AC fans were introduced.  Their new 12" and 16" AC fans were made by Westinghouse and re-badged for R&M.  They were virtually identical to the Westinghouse "tank" fans but with the R&M open flag cage badge.  With Westinghouse's impending introduction of a new drawn steel fan motor in 1912 it is likely that R&M found it would no longer have a source of AC fan motors, prompting them to design their own AC fan motor, the "List 1404" and varients.

The 1404 did away with the mechanical start switch of the previous R&M AC fans made by Westinghouse.  The 1404 incorporated three speeds with a good speed separation between high and medium and medium and low.  They also run pretty quietly and are an easy fan to live with for daily use.






The much more commonly used "open flag" cage badge as used on most 1404 and 14040 fans is shown in the top photo, right, and was used on 12" and 16" R&M fans through 1916.  The photo below, right, is of the smaller round badge used during the last year of R&M cast iron fan motor production, presumably 1917.   I have both the 12" R&M 14040 and a 16" R&M 11530 oscillator with the round cage badge.

















Robbins & Myers motor tags from the 1911-1917 era have little information on them; the "List No." (the first two digits are the "model number") and the voltage and frequency, as well as direct or alternating current.  That is all you got- no serial numbers or patent dates or other information was included.  If there were patents pending they never were on the motor tags of these fans as an actual date.



Yes, R&M did make Direct Current versions of the 1404 and 14040.  Above is the motor tag of a later version of the List 1505 with felt base plate making it a List 15050.  Note the 30 volts on the tag.  A standard 110 v. DC version is a List 1500, or List 15000 with the felt base.

Most information for R&M fans is hard to come by.  I have not seen any catalogs of their earlier fans so that I might see what voltages and frequencies they made fans for or the other models that were made in this series of the Models 14 and 15.

Right:  The 1911 1404 on the left in the photo and the c.1915 14040 on the right.  Not too many fan makers pin striped their fans but R&M was one who did well into the 1920s.  Usually a pair of double stripes was used, hand applied, around both the motor and the base.  A single stripe was applied to the sides of the trunnion.   R&M's finish was second to none in this period and their black japan finish was very durable.  It can usually be cleaned up using acetone and a rag and Q-tips with no harm to the japan.  That finish is really tough!

Click on photos in the blog to see a larger version.


There are two wing bolts on these fans.  Here you can see them both painted black; one for the tilt adjustment on the left upper side of the trunnion and a smaller wing bolt, also painted black on this fan, at the bottom center of the trunnion to adjust for side to side position of the fan. The tilt adjustment must be the easiest to use and most secure locking of any fan ever made.  A wonderful design of a simple part.

What is unusual to me is that a brass wing bolt should indicate that the bolt is made of brass and, one would think, a black painted wing bolt would indicate an iron wing bolt.  Also, one would think that brass is earlier and iron is later.  The 1911 model has both wing bolts of lacquered brass.  On the newest fan discussed here, the one with the small, solid cage badge, the large wing bolt is steel but the small one is brass, painted black.  The fan in the center of the first photo and the DC fan both have a brass large bolt but a black steel small bolt.  Such minor details are not uncommon for old fans.  The companies probably used what they had on hand.



Rear bearing caps or covers were never used on these fans.  On the earlier models without the felt base plate a tan fiber cover was screwed to the base which helped to protect the switch and wiring.  Three rubber feet protected the surface the fan was placed on.

Probably a very early R&M 1404 that showed up on ebay.  Note the rear bearing which is not recessed into
the rear motor housing as on every other 1404 and 1411 that I have seen.  Compare to photo above, right.

Below are comparison photos of the early (1911) cage with square back ring and the later cages with the two round rings.  The double ring cages only differed among the years used (1912-1917) by having the smaller solid badge on the 1917 cages.




Cage struts and clips as shown to the right were made of stamped steel in all years and did not differ.  Attaching screws were solid brass.
Blades were highly polished and lacquered.  Cages and other brass parts were probably dipped and lacquered and not highly polished as is commonly seen on modern restorations.  I have never figured out what the "dipped" part of dipped and lacquered is but will often see that term used in fan catalogs of the period.




Some photos, below, of the 30 volt Direct Current, List 15050 fan.  After some cleaning of the commutator and brushes and lubricating the oil cups, this fan runs very well.  I connect the power cord to my variac to reduce the voltage to 30 volts or less and plug it into a power strip socket in which I have installed a bridge rectifier which gives a close approximation of direct current voltage.  The bridge rectifiers are small, about $4 each, and are easy to hook up.  They can be installed inside the base of most early fans if there is room in the base and the fan can then be plugged into a regular house wall outlet.


While the base of the DC models is the same (the switch is not the same) the motor is larger in diameter and deeper, with different construction.   I would say the DC has a better looking motor than the AC versions.  The tubes sticking out from the rear sides of the motor are the brush holders.  Earlier versions differ somewhat in having a screw-on knurled cap.

There were no typical two prong plugs as we know them today until about 1917.  Instead fans and other electrical appliances used "attachment plugs" as shown below allowing the fan to be connected to a light socket.  In the nineteen teens wall outlets began to be installed in buildings but the attachment plugs persisted into the 1930s, by then separable from a standard two prong plug.






Venting on the DC fan motors is very different from the AC motors.  A few large openings on the DC motors contrast with many smaller vent holes on the AC motors.

Oil cups are made of brass and have spring loaded felt wicks in them to wick oil to the bearings.  20 wt. non-detergent is the proper oil to use on old fans.



What about rarity and availability of these R&M fans?  I would say they are a bit uncommon but not too hard to find.   Certainly they are much less common than even the 1902-07 GE pancakes, or the GE "Big Motor Yoke" and "Small Motor Yoke" models of about the same period.  DC models are fairly rare and hard to find which makes sense since Direct Current power disappeard for the most part from our country fairly early.  I bet a lot of DC fans met their fate in the scrap drives of the two world wars.


Thanks goes to a noted collector of R&M fans for providing me with this scan of an R&M catalog page for the 1911 year List 1404 series of fans.
The only numbers I have encountered are the List 1404 and 1411 fans for the common 110 volt 60 cycle current.


What came after the List 1404 and other CAST IRON R&M fans?

Up until 1916 all R&M desk fans were made of cast iron.  Beginning in 1916 R&M had new designs made of drawn steel, a feature that Westinghouse pioneered for the 1912 model year.  It appears that the cast iron models were still available for a year or two after 1916 but, predominately, their fans would be of the new pressed steel construction.

The new offerings included a 6" two speed fan with four blades, a three speed 9", 5 blade fan- Models 26 and 27 (AC and DC), and 12" and 16" 6 blade fans- Model 21 and 22 (AC and DC non-oscillators) as well as oscillating fans, Models 24 and 25 (AC and DC).  The model numbers were the first two digits of the "List Number" which is the important number in describing R&M fans.

For several years the 12" and 16" fans were available only with 6 blades.  A brass cage was used on 1916-17 fans with a change to wrapped steel cages for one or two years more before the cages went to welded steel.   Before the welded steel cages appeared the four blade fans returned and the 6 blade may have been discontinued.  As R&M information is hard to come by I will leave it at this for now until I can update the details.
                                                                                           Pictured at left is a 1916 R&M 6 wing oscillating Model 24 (List 2404).  This is probably the last year for the large, open flag cage badge to be used and followed in 1917 by the smaller, solid, round flag cage badge, still on a brass cage and with a 6 wing blade.    
1916 R&M 6 wing oscillating Model 24 (List 2404).
The corresponding non-oscillating model would be the
List 2104 which was followed several years later
by the 4 blade List 2110 and the oscillating 2410.



 R&M's famous "THE STANDARD" flag cage badge was
used starting no later than 1908, possibly a few years earlier.
Note the gilt like finish which was used on the cage.
The fan blade was highly polished and lacquered.
Compare this 1917 R&M List 2404 with the same model from 1916, above.
The only visible change is in the cage, now using a smaller, solid flag badge.
Knowing that the drawn steel R&Ms came out in 1916 and that they are found
with the open flag badge is helpful in dating these early stamped steel R&Ms.

1916- open flag cage badge.  1917- small solid cage badge.  1918- the same solid cage badge 
remains through much or all of the 1920s.  Cage changes to wrapped steel.  1919- A bit of 
guessing goes on here.  Due to the wrapped steel cages being uncommon I would say that 
1919 was the last year for the wrapped cage or the first year for a new welded steel cage.  
I have yet to determine when the List 21xx and List 24xx ended but it must have 
been in the early 1920s, to be replaced with new but similar models.

        The earlier cast iron List 1404 and the oscillating 1153 models seem to have been 
available, at least in limited numbers, as late as c.1917 as they can be found with the 
smaller, solid cage badge as seen in the very first photo in this blog page.

Below is an R&M ad from May 15, 1916 right after the introduction of the drawn steel frame fans.  Note that the old cast iron models were still being offered, probably into 1917.

(To be continued)  I have not yet covered or even mentioned that there are 16" versions of the 1404; the List 1411, 14110, etc.  The size difference is about the only notable difference although the first year model 1411 (1911) used a square back ring cage but with a front (round) ring that the 12" fan did not use, it had no front ring on the cage.

8-24-16
R&M Flag cage badges- new reproductions:
Often the original cage badge is missing from early R&M fans.  It was a thin stamped sheet brass "flag" as you see pictured in this blog.   Fortunately for those who have a missing badge, which is a very common occurrence, AFCA member Darryl Hudson makes excellent die stamped reproductions that are nearly impossible to tell from the originals.  Darryl made a run of flag badges then ran out. Fortunately he did made another batch around 2014 and I think they are still available.  If you need a badge don't dally, they may sell out again and you don't know if they will be made again.  Darryl does excellent work.  He makes the badges in the original thickness of .010 and the same in a thicker and slightly more durable 0.015" thickness for the same price of $40.00 each plus shipping.   That's a bargain for the quality and intricateness of his badges.

Darryl Hudson
68 Bluegrass Drive, Aiken, SC 29803
(803) 649-6641 http://www.hudsonscustommachining.com
Many high quality reproduction parts supplies: grommets, feet, brush caps, gears, plugs and various hardware. Also custom machining and some restoration services. See Web page or email for complete list. 



       

Above:  Darryl had dies made to stamp out new R&M cage badges.  Quality
is excellent with relief on both sides as per the originals.













Left:  Darryl Hudson reproduction R&M cage badge that has seen some use and had one corner bent some.  What you get form him are perfect and an unpolished bright brass.  Above right; original R&M cage badge with original "dipped and lacquered" finish.    Blades were highly polished and lacquered but not on cages or badges.




Here is a brand new Darryl Hudson reproduction as you will receive them showing the front and the back sides.   Click on any photo to enlarge; two clicks to supersize on many photos.


                   








Thursday, September 1, 2011

Another display of early fans Sunday, September 11th, San Jose, Calif.

Autos in History Park, just part of the show.  Click to enlarge photo.
Updated 10-12-11

I "found" this wonderful show two years ago and have been asked to display my early fans at this year's event.  Information is posted at
http://www.scvmtfc.org/

You can find me and my fans somewhere on the grass area to the right of the light tower over the street.

A glimpse of last years show-
http://www.scvmtfc.org/910antique/antique.html

History Park is part of Kelly Park in San Jose, CA and is a re-creation of an old town complete with an operating historic trolly with free rides during the show.  Admission is free and the show is officially from noon to 5 pm Sunday, Sept, 11.  Cars will enter the show starting at 9:30 so you will likely be able to enter the park at that time.  Vehicles are limited to unmodified cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles and other misc. prior to 1945.  No hot rods!  I would guess that there will be several hundred vehicles at the show plus old gas engines and other mechanical marvels.  Come check out the show and some nice early fans including an 1889 C&C, 1892 Holtzer, Edison battery fan, 1900 Westinghouse Tesla, R&M feathervane, Western Electric bipolar, early ornate Diehl, GE panckake, 1904 all nickel plated German AEG, early ECK DC ball motor and many more.  You will love this show!

Click on the link to aGoogle map, then satellite view for show location.
http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=history+park,+san+jose,+ca&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

Update:
I loaded all the fans I could fit into my Rav4 and headed to the show with my brother and a friend.  I think I had about 15 of my best or favorite fans and that proved to be a good number.  Compared to the last show I did at Rengstorff House in Menlo Park, the turnout was, as expected, much larger.  I think the visitors to the car show really enjoyed seeing the old fans and seeing them operate.  I enjoyed the day and did get to see the old cars if only briefly.
Photos of this year's show.

This is the canopy provided by the show organizers which worked out very well.  Electric power was also provided.


As for the cars, they were pre-1945, cars, trucks, motorcycles and some other mechanical items such as old farm engines.  The oldest car was probably the 1903 Curved Dash Oldsmobile, one of my favorites.  Many Model T and A Fords but a wonderful array of other makes, years, and sizes of cars.  A special display of Model T (and A) speedsters intrigued my brother so much that he has already purchased an old Model T frame to begin a speedster.  I can't wait for a ride!   Check out this show next year if you can.  I'll probably be there but without the fans.  I want more time to see all the neat cars and displays.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Dating early Emerson 60 cycle and DC current brass blade fans



Latest update:  8-12-20


Emerson fans are one of the most widely collected, and regarded by many as the best fans ever made.  I, for one, have always had a hard time remembering the dates that different models were made.  Here I have compiled a list of all of the 60 cycle AC brass blade fans that Emerson made from the earliest 1892 "Meston" until the last of the brass blade models, the 29646 and 71666 models.   I have also added the earlier steel blade models that replaced brass in 1931.


A few early models, c.1901, that you are not likely to encounter and which I have never seen have been omitted until I get more information.  (Those omitted Types turned out to be 133 cycle motors).  The dates given are believed to be accurate but some errors may have crept in.  I would like to update the list where possible if readers will let me know any additional or corrected information.


Photos above and below are of an 1899 Emerson "tripod" in my collection.  This is the first year of this version of the Type FI-1 12" 60 cycle fan.  Previous versions were made in the years 1895-96 that resembled the original "Meston" motors and in 1897, a version made for that year only.
The finish on this fan is original but the cage is a reproduction which has since been replaced with another reproduction made in steel as the original for this year would have been.  The white porcelain switch is unusual; most switches are in black porcelain as shown at the bottom, below somewhat down.
(click on photos for a larger view)



Production dates of early Emerson 60 cycle AC brass* blade fans by "Type":
* steel blades replaced brass in 1931
(updated 8-12-20)


  Type       Years made

1892-1898 "MESTON" Alternating Current Fan Motor desk fans with bronze motor case and switch on top front of motor, infinitely variable speeds with commutator and brushes:
 M1 (Meston) 12" desk fan 16,000 alternations (133 cycles)
 M2 (Meston) 16" desk fan, 16,000 alts

1895-96 "Emerson Electric" Alternating Induction Fan Motor (not a Meston but motor is so marked on the front plate) Has rear switch, no brushes or commutator (mostly bronze motor cases) 

1897 "Emerson Electric" Induction with cast iron motor case and rear switch
1898-1901 style tripod desk fans as follows:
 FI-1  7200 alternations (60 cycles) 12" fan   
 EI-1 16,000 alts (133 cycles) 16" fan
 FI-2  7200 alts. 16" fan  
 EI-2  16,000 alts, 15" fan for 16,000 alts only on c.1895-96 motors.
    
 *PI-241, PI-242 (1901-1902)  Swivel & Trunnion and Swivel frame desk fan models.

  310, 311, 320, 321, 410, 411, 420, 421, 510*, 511*, 520*, 521*, 610, 611, 620, 621  (1901)  These are shown in an Emerson data sheet but I have never seen any of them.  (*) are 133 cycle fan motors.

  710*, 711*, 720*, 721*, 810*, 811*, 820*, 821* (1902-04), all are 133 cycles and most are rarely seen.

  910,  911,  920,  921 (1902-04)  Swivel frame desk fan (911 and 921 are wall bracket fans)

1010, 1011 (1902-05), 1020 (1902), 1021 (1902)  Swivel & Trunnion desk fan (1011, 1021 are bracket fans)

1120 (1903-04)   16"  Swivel frame desk fan

1220, 1221 (1903-05)   16"  S&T, 1221 is a bracket fan     (1210, 1215 were these made?)

1310, 1311, 1320, 1321 (1903-05)  12" Swivel & Trunnion 6 blade residence fan, large diameter motor.  1311 and 1321 are bracket fans.

1500 (1909)  8" Swivel & Trunnion, "Convertable Ball" added to base for wall mounting.  First cage badge

1510 (1906-09), 1520 (1906-07, 1906-09? for this model)  12" & 16" S&T

1610 (1906-07), 1620 (1906)    12" & 16" S&T, 6 blade fan, large motor

1820 (1908-09)  16" Swivel & Trunnion

2010 (1908-09) 12" S&T 6 blade fan, large motor    2010a (1908) 12" S&T 6 blade fan, smaller motor similar in size to Trojan 5610 motor.

2210, 2220 (1909)  12" & 16", Emerson's first oscillator, two bearing motor with set screw blade

(For fans listed below the first two digits are the series, the middle digit is the frequency (0 for DC, 2 for 25 cycles, 3/30 cycles, 4/40, 5/50, 6/60 cycles), the fourth number is the number of blades and the last number is half of the diameter of the blade (5 is a 9" blade on brass models but a 10" fan on later models, probably that use steel blades).  Note: only 60 cycle models are listed below but other frequencies were made in most Types.

11644 (1910),  11646 (1910-11),  11648 (1910-11), 11666 (1910)   Swivel & Trunnion, first series with cage badge other than Type 1500 

12646, 12648, 12666 (1910-11)  second design oscillator

14644 (1911-12 or 13?),  14646 (1912-13?),  14648 (1912-13?),  14666 (1911)  Swivel & Trunnion, step base replaces earlier ornate base

15644 (1911-12)  Bedpost fan similar to 14644 but with bracket to attach to bedpost, 1 speed

16646 (1912-13?), 16648 (1912-13?), 16666 (1912-13?)  Oscillator, second style gearbox

17666  (1912 )  Swivel & Trunnion

19644 (1914-15 or 16), 19645 (1916-19), 19646 (1914-18), 19648 (1914-18), 19666 (1914-17- not 1918)  Swivel & Trunnion.  Steel cages in 1918.  Change from cast hub to stamped hub blade during production.  Carrying handle added to 12 and 16" for 1917, both stationary and oscillating models (Electrical World)

21645 ((1915-16),  21646 (1914-16),  21648 (1914-16),  21666 (1914-16)  Oscillator with new, third type of gearbox, last to use the step base.  Still cast hub blades.

24645 (1917-19),  24646 (1917-18),  24648 (1917-19),  24666 (1917-18),  24668 (1917-18)  Oscillator, new cone shaped base (except for 24645 which used step base with thicker bottom flange), steel cages for 1918.   Change from cast hub to stamped hub blade during production.   Carrying handle added to 12 and 16" for 1917, both stationary and oscillating models (Electrical World)

26645 (1920-22),  26646 (1919-22),  26648 (1919-22)  Non-oscillator, modified cone base with felt base plate.  Steel cages from here on forward.

27645 (1920-22),  27646 (1919-22),  27666 (1919-22),  27648 (1919-22),  27668 (1920-22)  Oscillator

28645 (1922-23),  28646 (1922-1937),  28648 (1922-23)  Non-oscillator

29645 (1922-25?), 29646 (1922-1936), 29666 (lg. motor)(1922 only),  29648 (1922-c.1929),  29668 (1922-at least 1926, probably through '27)  Oscillator  (71666 replaces 29666 in 1923)

30648  (1922 only)  Non-oscillator 


71666 (1923-1935)  Oscillator, small motor replaces previous 29666 large motor on 6 blade oscillators

72646 (1938-41), replaced 28646, non-oscillator

73646 (1937-41), 73648 (1928-1939), 73668 (1928-1935)  Oscillator

Notes:  (from discussions with Bill Voigt and other sources)
1. Speed numbers OFF  1  2  or OFF  1  2   3  for 1911 and before, changed to OFF  3  2  1 for 1912 and later with 1 the being the high speed, 2 medium, and 3 low speed on all models.
2. Stamped blade hub replaces cast hub on last of 19xxx and 24xxx Types  (21xxx are cast hub)
3. Polished brass blades replaced with dull finish (gold paint) on brass blades starting in 1921 for 26xxx and 27xxx series
4. Pyramid badge (Built to Last) c.1926  (registered June 9, 1925)
5. Improved Parker blade c.1927-29,  12" before the 16"?
6. Gold painted hub in 1922 replaces black painted hub immediately after earliest 29646
7. Steel blades in 1931 replace brass blades
8. Last mechanical start switch 1910-1911 (11xxx and 12xxx types).
9. Emerson "date code" first used c.1929 (possibly c.1922 with a stamped number) on full grade Emersons and  c.1923 on Emerson Junior line.  Add "20" to the one or two digit number on motor tag or cage badge to get
    the date the fan was built.
10. First  "force feed lubrication system" using spiral grooves in rotor 1928 on 73648 & 73668 16" models only. 
    Force Feed lubrication added to all 12" and 16" Parker and overlapping blade models in 1937
11. First capacitor in base 1937 on 73xxx and 77xxx types
12. First overlapping blades 1935, 77xxx type
13. First Emerson Junior in 1922, 9" steel blade painted gold, switch added to Junior models in 1925, oscillator in                                     1926
14. 10 foot cord and plug provided on all fans c.1916-17 (and probably other later years)
15. First carrying handles on top of motor on 12" and 16" models in 1917 for oscillators, not sure about stationary.
16.  12xxx and 16xxx power cord came out back.  c.1915 headwire outlet on base and power cord inlet moved to 45 deg. to right of center for better headwire routing when fan is wall mounted.
17.   Emerson letter prefixes on motor tags as follows; compiled by Bill Voigt:
  A    27xxx plus early 28, 29xxx  maybe some early ones without the suffix & 27645  All A have screw-in oilers.  Forged looking high handles.  Black porcelain switch.
  K    By 1924-25 and shortly after 28xxx and 29xxx types came out.  New motor winding/speed coil, switch base changed from ceramic to composition, hubs painted gold.  Press-in oilers, low "screen door" handle,  cage struts still with extra bends (not twists).
  N    c.1927, Pyramid badge, straight cage struts on late N, higher rolled steel handle in use
  T   All had pyramid badges, straight struts,  Improved Parker blades, 12" version about a year before 16" blade improvements.   Headwire access plate added sometime in the T prefix.   Late T or early W flared out larger oil cap.
  W  All had headwire access plates, composition round switch on early W
(blank space for serial number)
(new tag with no place for serial number)
  AK   1937 first capacitor motors.  73646 AK were the first
-First date code on 12" and 16" motor tags, lower right corner:  Bill has seen a "9" for 1929   He's possibly seen an "8"

*PI-241 was previously thought to have been produced 1899-1900.  Information from Emerson catalogs 
    places the dates at 1901-02 with the auto-start models introduced in 1902.  For more information on 
    dating PI-241s see The Fan Collector magazine (AFCA), February 2001, v.14, no.1

 Trojan  The Emerson Trojan line of fans was Emerson's less expensive line and used a two bearing motor instead of the single bearing used on the top of the line Emerson fans.
 Type       Years made
5110,  5111,  5120,  5121 (1904-05)  S&T, pancake motor, non-oscillator, 4 blade fan
5210,  5211 (1904-05)  S&T, non-oscillator, pancake motor,  6 blade fan
5310,  5320 (1906-09)  S&T, non-oscillator (rear bearing cap only on 1909 models?)
5410 (1906-07)  S&T, non-oscillator, thick pancake motor,  6 blade fan
5610 (1908-09)  S&T, non-oscillator,  6 blade fan
51646,  51648 (1910-11)  S&T, non-oscillator, replaced 5310, 5320 (all have rear bearing caps.)
52646,  52648 (1910-11)  First Trojan oscillator
53644 (1911-12)  8" all brass non-oscillator, stamped blade, three speeds
53646,  53648 (1912)  Non-oscillator, three speeds, step base replaces ornate base, "Trojan"cage badge.
54646,  54648 (1912)  Oscillator , step base, three speeds, "Trojan" cage badge


 Emerson Direct Current brass blade* fans
(for standard voltages- other models were made for other voltages)
* steel blades replaced brass in 1931

Latest edit:  14-5-19
 Type     Years made
 1015     (1905)   12"    Swivel & Trunnion desk fan
 1016     (1905)   12"    S&T bracket fan
 1025     (1905)   16"    S&T desk
 1026     (1905)   16"    S&T bracket
 1115     (1906-09)  12"   swivel & trunnion desk
 1125     (1906-09)  16"   S&T desk
 1215     (1908-09)  12"   residence (6 blade fan) S&T desk
11044    (1912-13)    8"   S&T desk
11046    (1910-12)  12"   S&T desk
11048    (1910-12)  16"   S&T desk
11066    (1910-12)  12"   residence S&T desk
14046    (1913)   12"   S&T desk
14048    (1913)   16"   S&T desk
14066    (1913)   12"   residence S&T desk
15044    (1912)     8"   bedstead S&T
16046    (1912-13)  12"   hinged oscillator
16048    (1912-13)  16"   hinged oscillator
16066    (1912-13)  12"   hinged residence oscillator
18046    (1913-14)  12"   ventilating fan
18048    (1913-14)  16"   ventilating fan
19044    (1914)     8"    convertible S&T desk
19045    (1917-19)   9"   S&T desk
19046    (1914-19?)   12"    conv. S&T desk
19048    (1914-19?)   16"    conv. S&T desk
19066    (1914-19?)   12"    conv. residence S&T desk
21046    (1914)   12"    hinged oscillator
21048    (1914)   16"    hinged oscillator
21066    (1914)   12"    hinged residence oscillator
23045    (1915-16)   9"   hinged oscillator
23046    (1915-16)  12"  hinged oscillator
23048    (1915-16)  16"  hinged oscillator
23066    (1915-16)  12"  hinged residence oscillator
24045    (1917-19)   9"   hinged oscillator
24046    (1917-19)  12"  hinged oscillator
24048    (1917-19)  16"  hinged oscillator
24066    (1917)     12"   hinged residence oscillator
26045    (1920-23)    9"  non-oscillator 
26046    (1919-24)  12"  non-oscillator
26048    (1920-23)  16"  non-oscillator
27045    (1920-22)    9"  oscillator
27046    (1919-23)  12"  oscillator  (last ball motor)
27048    (1919-24)  16"  oscillator  (last ball motor)
28045    (1924-1930)    9"  non-oscillator
28046    (1925-1939)     12"   non-oscillator
29045    (1923-28+?)    9"  oscillator
29046    (1924-28+?)  12"  oscillator
29048    (1924-28+?)  16"  oscillator
71045    (c.1929-1937)  10"  oscillator
73045    (1938)   10" oscillator
75046    (1929-1939)  12" oscillator
75048    (c.1930-1939)  16" oscillator
76045    (? -1937)  10" non-oscillator
78045    (1938)   10" non-oscillator

Notes:
-All DC Emerson fan motors have two bearings
-Parker blades are used on all DC motors and have a set screw to hold blade to shaft.
-12" and 16" have ball shaped motors through the 27xxx models.
-12" and 16" fans have more or less cylindrically shaped motors after the 27xxx models.
-8" and 9" motors are small and cylindrical shaped.
-1930 was the last year for brass blades which were painted with gold paint from c.1921
-Steel blades replaced brass on the 1931 models.
-The last "trunnion" mounted motors were the 19xxx models.









PI-241 swivel base, 1900-1901
1894 Emerson M1 tripod



The PI-241 came as a single speed swivel base and a two speed swivel & trunnion base.  All PI-241 models used an aluminum motor tag that was also used on the last of the tripod fans which were still sold when the PI-241 was introduced.  With the following Types 910 (swivel) and 1010 (swivel & trunnion) the motor tag was changed to nickeled brass.



The page to the right and those below are from an Emerson catalog dated Jan. 1, 1903.  Additional pricing pages were in the catalog for 16,000 alt. (133 cycle high frequency) and ceiling fans.

Note the three voltages that each fan was offered in.  In the days before the fans were convertible from desk to bracket fans beginning with the Type 1510 a separate bracket Type model was offered differing only in the base of the fan motor.


                      Click on page to enlarge.


Emerson had a design advantage over their competitors in their use of a long, single 1/2" hardened steel bearing in place of the usual two bearings, front and rear of the motor.  While some other fans used a single bearing it was not of the same size nor hardened steel as Emerson used.  The long term advantage of the Emerson design was a very long life for the bearing.  The less expensive line of Trojan fans did not use this single bearing but, instead, used two bearings, front and rear, in the motor.












Wiring Diagrams for Some Emerson Fan Models
Thank you Tom Newcityl.   Please note that these are the oscillating models but the 
corresponding non-oscillators use the same wiring diagrams.