Artifact Spotlight: Servel-Electrolux Refrigerator

Did you know that the refrigerator in Canary Cottage is a Servel-Electrolux kerosene refrigerator?

Founded in 1922 by Colonel William McCurdy, Servel was an American company that manufactured heating and cooling appliances. The company produced refrigerators under the name National Electric Products, the company soon adapted and shortened the name “Servel” from their slogan, “Serves Electrically.” Servel was the only American manufacturer of gas refrigerators from 1927 until 1956.

As many American companies did, once the United States entered World War II, Servel shifted its manufacturing to support the war effort. An Evansville Courier article from May 15, 1947 revealed, “The war production history of Servel is well known. They made field kitchen fire units, the first wartime contract received by Servel, P-47 Thunderbolt wings (over 6,000 pairs), 37 mm and 40 mm cartridge cases, breach cases, anti-tank mines, land mines, gasoline heaters, lanterns, cylinder heads and other parts for aircraft engines.”