Kenner came out with the Easy-Bake Oven in 1963, and millions have been sold over the years.  Even if it was powered by a humble light bulb (not included), it was capable of baking (and, of course, melting crayons).  And I think most boys would agree with me that of all the girl toys produced, it was probably the most interesting.

But it wasn’t a new idea, as shown by this toy electric range from a hundred years ago, as shown in the November 1915 issue of Electrical Experimenter.  As with many things, it looks like the original was even better than the watered-down later version.  This one doesn’t appear to have used a light bulb.  Instead, it appears to contain an honest-to-goodness heating element, probably capable of inflicting actual burns.

This toy range, measuring 15 inches in height, contains not only an oven (at 4-1/2 by 5 inches, slightly larger than the Easy-Bake), but also a stove top.

“On top of the range a kettle can be placed, or food can be cooked in tiny utensils that come with the range.” The range included a long cord that could go into any handy socket, and the cord even contained a switch for regulating the amount of heat.

“Little girls fortunate enough to get a toy electric range for Christmas will find ‘playing house’ a more fascinating pastime than they have ever before enjoyed.” And as with the Easy-Bake half a century later, I bet their brothers were jealous.

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