Reddy Kilowatt

Reddy Killowatt, what a cutie!

I picked up this ceramic ashtray at the flea market for a dollar.

Then I found this measuring glass at an estate sale.

Some brief history about Reddy Killowatt:

Reddy Killowatt was first conceived in 1926 to help promote a friendly feel to electricity.  During the 20s while most cities were hooked up, the outlaying farms were not.  For that matter farmers didn't have interest in having electricity added to their homes.  They had managed for centuries without it. It was seen as a costly indulgence and a potential deadly hazard. Reddy was hired to persuade them hayseeds with his sweet shocking smile!

The image of Reddy Killowatt that appears on advertising items like mine was designed in 1946 by Walter Lanz, who created Woody Woodpecker.  Reddy liked to show consumers all the wonderful things that electricity could do for them.  His decline came about during the 1970s when consuming resources (his primary bag) shifted to environmental conservation.  His final demise came about as did all the fictional spokesmen...or bolts, fruits, tires... did when companies started to use boring abstract designs and fonts for the company's logos.

Here is Reddy singing in the kitchen:

Mr. Husband Sir may recognize the voice of Reddy....It's Walter Tetley of Gildersleeve fame...It's Leeeeroy!!!