The First Electric Silver Christmas Tree

[Thomas Steiner]

I wonder if anyone remembers the first electric aluminum Christmas Tree? Do you know the correct date?

[Sickie Ickie]

Not sure of the date, but if I remember correctly it gave people occasionally nice shocks.

[putrid]

I know it was in the 1800's. Around the same time as the light bulb itself. But I don't remember the exact year. OOps had to re read your post. Do you mean aluminum or chromed plastic? The plastic ones are kinda recent.

[Thomas Steiner]

putrid, I mean the aluminum trees. Sorry about that.:)

[Carrie]

I remember those silver trees with the 3 color spots that you aimed at them to change the color. They were all the rage for a while (I guess I'm dating myself here). I always thought they were a little strange. A neighbor had one and used a pink spotlight on it, with pink satin balls..in truth, I thought it was hideous! LOL

[Thomas Steiner]

I have never liked the aluminum Christmas Trees as a child and I still don't as a grown man today. (Though still a kid at heart.) The only thing I really liked about the tree was the colored round rotating pinwheel. The pinwheel was so cool as it rotated the crazy colors on the tree.

[putrid]

I think the aluminum trees came out in the 50's but don't know the exact year. I have an add featuring them in a 1959 Better Homes and Gardens mag. However there are no pictures of people using them in the mag. There were a variety of lights you could use. I think color wheels were the more popular choice. Some of these were made to look futuristic. There was also lighted stands with color lights that would shine up into the tree. Some of these rotated. Haven't seen to many of those.

LOL Carrie, that does sound funny. I'll probably make some folks mad but I feel the same way about all white trees covered with red lights. Looks like a giant Valentine in the window. LOL We had an aluminum tree too. I think we used it once and my mom threw a fit. The only thing I remember about the tree is what happened to it. My dad gave it to my brother and I. We used it to 'decorate' the back yard. And for swords. LOL In the 70's I ruined the color wheel wile playing air guitar the the stereo turned all the way up. LOL Your not dating yourself Carrie. Your blending in. LOL

[Thomas Steiner]

putrid, Can you post that mag ad please. I do love the white Christmas trees though. They are beautiful I think.

[putrid]

I don't have a scanner so I'll take a shot of the add and the front cover of the mag it's in.

[putrid]

The flash is in the way a bit,

This is the main body of the full page add.

http://www.christmasfanclub.com/picture.php?albumid=8&pictureid=93

This is the front covor of the magazine the add is in.

http://www.christmasfanclub.com/picture.php?albumid=8&pictureid=94

[Thomas Steiner]

putrid, Thank you! Photos look great. I am harvasting your photos for my files. :)

[bethene]

Thanks Putrid, I loved looking at the pictures, my dad won a aluminum tree when I was a kid, maybe in the early 60's, we used it , but then went back to a real tree. really, what were they thinking....

[Thomas Steiner]

The correct date is July 7, 1959. Here is the patent drawing for the first aluminum Christmas tree. The heights of the silvery wonders ranged for a tiny one foot table top tree up to a 7 foot monster. There were even half trees produced for wall mounting in offices and stores. The variety was seemingly endless. Along with The Aluminum Specialty Company (first company to make them), other companies offered the glittery wonders, including Star Brand Company in Portsmouth, Virginia, Regal Electronics in Chicago, Illinois, And Fairyland Trees.

[Thomas Steiner]

The first Christmas tree lights were manufactured in 1882. Not by Edison, but by Edward Johnson.

[putrid]

Totally cool info Thomas. Never thought to look in the patent records.

[putrid]

Holy COW! That just got me thinking. That add in this 1959 Better Homes and Gardens mag is probably one of the first for these trees!!!!!! I am TOTALLY stoked!