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DEDICATED TO THE CLASSIC SUNBEAM RADIANT CONTROL TOASTER

From the late 1940's to 1997, the upscale toaster market was dominated by this
classic from Sunbeam. Its sophisticated lines, art deco styling, and consistent
toasting quality made it a pleasure both to the eyes and the palate.

Going out of production at about the time of the rise of the Web, the T-20 and
its progeny (the T-35, VT-40, 20-30, and AT-W, among others) have been popular
items on eBay. Aging boomers recalling mom's or gramma's kitchen have dumped
their $9.99 plastic WalMart disposable wedding-gift toasters and have come back
home to a warm, shiny friend.


WHY THE RADIANT CONTROL TOASTER?

The Sunbeam Radiant Control toaster is a classic for several reasons. It's
beauty is apparent. But its real appeal is in its performance. Sunbeam called it
Automatic Beyond Belief. There are no levers to press down. Just put the bread
in the slot. The weight of the bread activates the heating elements, causing the
center wire to lengthen microscopically and the bread to be carried into the
toaster under its own weight. 

Inside, the Radiant Control thermostat monitors the heat radiated (not
conducted) from the outer surface of the bread, which is directly proportional
to its color change. There are no timers. The toast is raised only when it is
properly toasted; no sooner and no later.

When the thermostat opens, the elements cool, and the center element wire
contracts. This movement is very small — on the order of thousandths of an inch
— but a mechanical linkage multiplies this movement approximately 175 times.
This is sufficient to operate the carriage and raise the toasted bread from the
toaster.

Once a person has experienced a Radiant Control toaster, the common response is,
"This is how all toasters should work." One couldn't express the understated
elegance of this toaster more succinctly.


ABOUT THIS SITE

This site is dedicated to telling the story of the Sunbeam Radiant Control
toaster line. It is maintained by a dedicated collector. Not of antiques, but of
toasters. And not of any toaster, but Sunbeam toasters. Not all Sunbeam
toasters, but Sunbeam Radiant Control toasters. Over time this site will grow to
fully document this collection, thus making this private treasure trove
available for the world to enjoy.

This site is under continuous construction as the collection is photographed and
documented. For now, enjoy the few pictures that are here and get a taste of
what's to come.


Click here for the Gallery

Text and photographs on this site Copyright © 2005, 2006 by Craig Rairdin. All
Rights Reserved. If you wish to use photos or text from this site, contact us at
info@automaticbeyondbelief.org. We are quick to grant permission to those who
request it, and quick to prosecute those who do not.

About the images. The banner across the top of this site is scanned from a
1950's advertising display. The slogan was painted on a clear plastic panel that
is lit from behind. When placed on a flat-bed scanner, the letters cast their
own drop shadow; there's no PhotoShop effects here. The photograph at the top of
the page is of a T-20 A, one of the early toasters in the collection. It is in
mint, unused condition. The button above is taken from the same advertising
display that the banner is from. The display can be seen in the Gallery.