Thelma and Lowell's Diary: Sept. 22, 1943

They purchase a major appliance

The diary entry today is limited to purchases, Lowell having received his paycheck two days before. The small stuff included wax, a screwdriver, a pastry mixer, cards, and a scarf. Their major purchase was a coffee maker, which set them back $4.07. That translates into $72 today. Maybe they used some of the $11 in anniversary money Lowell’s mother sent them to treat themselves to a percolator like the one above. This art deco-style Farberware percolator from the 1940s with Bakelite handle and glass top is being offered by a vendor on eBay. And it still works!

I’d like to recommend the marvelous weekly Substack newsletter Twilight Hour Tuesday from Anne Peck-Davis by linking her most recent post to this one. It’s a history of the Farberware Company and includes great pictures as well as a recipe for a classic Gibson cocktail. I plan to make one tonight.

Paid subscribers can read on to find out what the Farberware Company was doing during World War II and what else Thelma bought during her shopping spree.