Hi
Have you ever wondered why there is a mirror mounted in side the really nice sought after Gerstner machinist tool chest and the not as nice knock offs (which I happen to own since I could not afford the real thing) ?
HF describes it as a machinist safety mirror I am not sure where they came up with that one, I guess they had to come up with something to describe it since they had no clue.
Well wonder no more here is the answer strait from Gerstner, who better to solve the mystery:
The Question for this issue comes from Mr. E. K. Morley of Boone, North Carolina.
He wrote, “What is the historical purpose of the mirror mounted inside the chest top lid?”
The Company Response:
The mirror was first installed in the early 1900’s on some of the very earliest Gerstner chest designs. In
those days, very few manufacturing and/or tool & die companies had indoor plumbing. In other words,
there were few companies with lavatories (with wash basins and mirrors) for toolmakers and other
factory workers to use to clean up at the end of the day.
The “mirror” mounted inside a Gerstner tool chest provided the wherewithal for the chest owner to
check his appearance and comb his hair before heading home (or, perhaps, going in to ask the boss
for a raise). At various times over the years, we have introduced a few tool chests without including a
mirror. Interestingly enough, the feedback from customers has been, “Without a mirror, the chest
doesn’t look like a Gerstner.” So . . .you may notice that virtually all new model Gerstners feature a
“mirror” inside the tip lid.
Have you ever wondered why there is a mirror mounted in side the really nice sought after Gerstner machinist tool chest and the not as nice knock offs (which I happen to own since I could not afford the real thing) ?
HF describes it as a machinist safety mirror I am not sure where they came up with that one, I guess they had to come up with something to describe it since they had no clue.
Well wonder no more here is the answer strait from Gerstner, who better to solve the mystery:
The Question for this issue comes from Mr. E. K. Morley of Boone, North Carolina.
He wrote, “What is the historical purpose of the mirror mounted inside the chest top lid?”
The Company Response:
The mirror was first installed in the early 1900’s on some of the very earliest Gerstner chest designs. In
those days, very few manufacturing and/or tool & die companies had indoor plumbing. In other words,
there were few companies with lavatories (with wash basins and mirrors) for toolmakers and other
factory workers to use to clean up at the end of the day.
The “mirror” mounted inside a Gerstner tool chest provided the wherewithal for the chest owner to
check his appearance and comb his hair before heading home (or, perhaps, going in to ask the boss
for a raise). At various times over the years, we have introduced a few tool chests without including a
mirror. Interestingly enough, the feedback from customers has been, “Without a mirror, the chest
doesn’t look like a Gerstner.” So . . .you may notice that virtually all new model Gerstners feature a
“mirror” inside the tip lid.
