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Design Stories: Exploring Everyday Things

GE Mixer whipping disc

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Artefact Inspection

This artefact contains a food mixer, whipping disc, a pair of beaters, a manual and recipe book, and a warranty slip. An electrical cord is believed to have been included, although was not preserved.

Components and Observations

When first held, we noticed that this artefact felt heavier than modern hand-held mixers, and is well-made, with careful attention to its shape, color, and design details. It appeared to be composed of hard plastic, rubber, and metal.

The manufacturer label underneath informs us of the location of production (CGE's Barrie plant in Ontario, Canada), voltage capacity, and model name (M7A). Rust and a few marks of use is apparent.

The manual is sectioned into Canada's official languages, English and French. Either language is begins on either side of the booklet, meeting in the middle as a spread regarding warranty policies. The manual contains important information such as safety, instructions on how to use the product, and a selection of quick-to-make Western recipes. Included in italics within the first pages is a caution: that when the mixer is first turned on, the user may notice an odour of ozone from the motor.

We were surprised to find warranty slips in this package. We interpreted the inclusion of this as GE's efforts to build customer relations, loyalty, and product/brand longevity.

The first thing we noticed about the packaging is the neutral pastel colours, yellow, beige, and blue, as these colours are often associated with a soft, calm, and elegant aesthetic. The labels on the box use three different fonts and the GE logo appears on every side, which is unusual compared to modern packaging. This was likely due to ensuring brand visibility from all angles, making it recognizable even when displayed on store shelves or in a home setting. The packaging is intended for a gift display, either in a store or at home. This is evident from the big title “Gift Set” at the front and the pop-up on the back, which acts like an easel, allowing the box to stand up and be showcased.

Interogation Results

As we inspected the artefact, we frequently compared its design to our contemporary mixers. This led us to wonder about whether the design choices were made a result of the times it was produced in, and not just to catch the eye. We were curious to learn more of how innovative this product was during the time of its sale: if, as a tool, it were for some, life changing, and also its place in Canadian history.

We reflected on what this kind of tool enables us to achieve today–quicker production time, ease of use–and how such experiences would have been wishful before the invention of mixers around the time of this artefact's creation. Rationalizing exactly who this gift set was made for (whether for women, men, or professional bakers/chefs) was an important discussion that further steered our approach to researching the production, mediation, and consumption stages of this artefact's life.

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Note: Model M7A is one variation of its product range that is only found to differ from other models of the same design by feature and voltage capacity. Our approach to researching this artefact has, then, investigated the physicality of this range of mixers, its social and design connotations, and the society it was introduced into, among other aspects. Majority of the information found online and in archival matter concerns models M7A and M47.
Mixed Reviews? 10 plain 2025-04-08T10:42:39-04:00
Product Reception

Documentation of the mixer’s use in daily life as a product (beyond newspaper advertisements) during the 1960s was not found, but rather discussions between members of collector groups and owners gave us a glimpse into the M7A and M47’s performance and review. It is unknown, at the moment, whether users voiced their opinion about the product and changes were made in later designs. The whipping disc was not found in advertisements beyond 1968, leaning to the assumption that there are reasons why this feature and design of whipping disc is not seen in later years.

Through modern-day evaluations and reflections shared on Reddit, we’ve observed mostly positive reviews. Partakers in these commentaries include those who grew up around the 1960s or inherited the mixer from older generations. This model is remembered to have been in “almost every household,” most of which are now surviving as family heirlooms and antiques. Small appliances produced during the 40s, 50s, and 60s are well agreed upon to have been made well and stronger than modern-day designs, as noticed by discourse on social media regarding G.E.’s products (and their competitor’s) in general during these decades, compared to now. This product’s quality, durability, ease of use, and performance contributes to its longevity and to positive associations of General Electric. The majority of M47s that are currently owned by families are still in use, extending the lifespan of this model beyond 50 years.

The following diagram is a categorized compilation of a handful of comments found from comment threads on Reddit (usernames made anonymous). Searching the comments for similarities in consumer experiences and review proved fruitful, highlighting potential design failures, user experience points, and sensory experiences. These points were not found elsewhere on the internet or in archival matter (in the extent of research completed for this biography).
- Potential Design Failures
  Two high-risk claims were made by two different commenters: that the plug being detachable is unsafe, and that the M47 was recalled due to fire hazards. Information that supports these claims have not been found.
- Longevity
  Discussion of the inheritance of this mixer as a family/generational heirloom is found in many collector and small-appliance discourse groups on Reddit, a social media platform that successfully performs as an image/commentary archive of things and commenter’s stories as time goes on. This range of mixers are largely revered for its durability. As a product, majority of the models produced has successfully escaped the “death phase”, as many consumers who had bought it in the 1960’s used it well enough and yet are able to pass it on to their next generations. Many commenters refer to the mixer positively, that they: still use it (as of the time that the comment was posted), look forward to inheriting it, and will maintain its use for generations to come.
- Familiarity
  Over time, the shape of this mixer became so familiar to the consumer that those who still have and use it are not comfortable with purchasing a newer or more modern mixer. This perspective was mentioned by those who experienced the use of this mixer during childhood and looked forward to inheriting it or passing it on.
- Sensory Attachment/Nostalgia
  The sensory experience and emotional attachment that was formed with the mixer was frequently mentioned. Commenters recalled the smell of ozone that was/is caused by the mixer’s mechanics–and most loved it! At the time of selling, ozone was not known to be harmful. Today, safety concerns cause mixed opinions (“Ozone is a well-documented air pollutant that can be harmful to health when inhaled.” [CARB 2021]). Others recalled the sound of the mixer (which, from videos posted to advertise this mixer on second-hand sellers like Ebay, inform us that it performs with a very loud sound), and how its use was not straining on the wrist (BuyitforLife 2017). These points inform us of the user experience of this “vintage” product, almost 60 years later. All who leave comments on such Reddit posts were given the opportunity to reminisce memories of their mother in the kitchen and the smell of cookies about to be baked; prompted by an image posted on social media by consumers who are collectors at heart.