Use of floor outlet in the dining room

[Vaso7]

The dinning room has a plug in the middle of the room, which is under the table. The room always had a chandelier and sconces on the wall. Why do you think this plug was needed? What so important to plug in there in early 1900's? I am just wondering. Next to it there is another weird plug I ll have to take pictures to post later.

The pictures.
The one is a traditional Fullman floor plug. The other I have no idea. I took the cover off so you can see the thing under. Ideas?

[angolito]

the one on the left looks like it could have been a foot bell to summon the help.

[Vaso7]

Yeah, I agree. The house has several servant buttons so it has to be the maid/butler button so the "master" does not have to get up from the table (or yell!) Still though I can not imagine what else they would plug under the table. And they would have to make a hole in their expensive handmade rug, right?

[Igloochic]

I have a table with an electric line running from the buzzer (at the head of the table) down to the hole in the center of the room, with a quick scissor clip between them. We'll reconnect them someday. I'd love to ring a bell til someone shows up...mind you it will likely be my husband with a pot to hit me in the head with for ringing the damn bell...but still, it sounds fun.

[cadrad]

depending on when your house was built, it was fashionable when electricity was first used for portable appliances to have them at the table so you could show off the latest technology."look at me I can make toast at the table!" The other one is almost certainly a servants call button like the other posters are saying

[wletson]

mind you it will likely be my husband with a pot to hit me in the head with for ringing the damn bell...

[cs]

Still though I can not imagine what else they would plug under the table. And they would have to make a hole in their expensive handmade rug, right?

Yes, yes... but well worth it for the Nacho Cheese Fountain!



Chris
http://www.saracenihouse.com

[Vaso7]

at the fountain!
Ok, I guess now I have seen it all!!!

My theory is that the outlet was a novelty and absolutely useless. I am thinking that the contractors of the era told everybody that they *need* a plug under the table because in the *future* everything on the table will run on electricity. Of course it never happened so they stop installing those outlets.....

[Tujo]

I recognize the style of outlet - thats all that was in my house when I bought it...
as to the use of the under dining room table plug, perhaps a vacuum? or just failed future proofing? who knows.

[rodpaine]

Uh, an outlet for table lamps? My 1927 house and another on the street built by the same people, have this outlet in the center of the dining room floor. Nice!
-Rod