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Gas Cooker Collection

In the mid-20th century, the gas cooker revolutionized British kitchens, bringing convenience and efficiency to households across the country

Background imageGas Cooker Collection: Army, U.S. Army Medical School; Typhoid Vaccine, 1917. Creator: Harris & Ewing. Army, U.S

Army, U.S. Army Medical School; Typhoid Vaccine, 1917. Creator: Harris & Ewing. Army, U.S
Army, U.S. Army Medical School; Typhoid Vaccine, 1917

Background imageGas Cooker Collection: Blue Triangle Chef C.P. Harris, between 1910 and 1920. Creator: Harris & Ewing

Blue Triangle Chef C.P. Harris, between 1910 and 1920. Creator: Harris & Ewing. Blue Triangle Chef C.P
Blue Triangle Chef C.P. Harris, between 1910 and 1920. [African American cook in kitchen]

Background imageGas Cooker Collection: Blue Triangle Chef C.P. Harris, between 1910 and 1920. Creator: Harris & Ewing

Blue Triangle Chef C.P. Harris, between 1910 and 1920. Creator: Harris & Ewing. Blue Triangle Chef C.P
Blue Triangle Chef C.P. Harris, between 1910 and 1920. [African American cook in kitchen]

Background imageGas Cooker Collection: Gas stove, 1951. Creator: Shirley Markham

Gas stove, 1951. Creator: Shirley Markham
Gas stove, 1951. Monochrome exercise. Shirley Markham (1931-1999) studied Graphic Design and Illustration at Central School of Art in London from 1950-1952

Background imageGas Cooker Collection: A British kitchen equipped with a cabinet gas cooker, 1942

A British kitchen equipped with a cabinet gas cooker, 1942
A British kitchen equipped with a cabinet gas cooker designed and manufactured by R. and A. Main Ltd. of London, 1942. No

Background imageGas Cooker Collection: East Midlands Gas Board promotion, Mexborough, South Yorkshire, 1957

East Midlands Gas Board promotion, Mexborough, South Yorkshire, 1957. The exterior of Claytons in Mexborough, near Doncaster

Background imageGas Cooker Collection: Kitchen scene, Warwick, Warwickshire, 1966. Artist: Michael Walters

Kitchen scene, Warwick, Warwickshire, 1966. Artist: Michael Walters
Kitchen scene, Warwick, Warwickshire, 1966. A housewife attending to the cooking in her new kitchen. The kitchen is the new fitted American style with matching formica fronted doors

Background imageGas Cooker Collection: East Midlands Gas Board shop window cooker display, Dronfield, Derbyshire, 1961. Artist

East Midlands Gas Board shop window cooker display, Dronfield, Derbyshire, 1961. Artist
East Midlands Gas Board shop window cooker display, Dronfield, Derbyshire, 1961. For their July 61 window display in Dronfield, near Sheffield

Background imageGas Cooker Collection: East Midlands Gas Board promotional roadshow, Darfield, near Barnsley, South Yorkshire, 1961

East Midlands Gas Board promotional roadshow, Darfield, near Barnsley, South Yorkshire, 1961
East Midlands Gas Board show, Darfield, near Barnsley, South Yorkshire, 1961. In a campaign to promote their range of gas powered cookers, fridges and dryers

Background imageGas Cooker Collection: East Midlands Gas Board shop window display, Worksop, Nottinghamshire, 1961. Artist

East Midlands Gas Board shop window display, Worksop, Nottinghamshire, 1961. Artist
East Midlands Gas Board shop window display, Worksop, Nottinghamshire, 1961. For their July 1961 window display in Worksop

Background imageGas Cooker Collection: Cooking demonstration for East Midlands Gas Boards gas cooker promotion, 1961. Artist

Cooking demonstration for East Midlands Gas Boards gas cooker promotion, 1961. Artist
Cooking demonstration for East Midlands Gas Boards gas cooker promotion, 1961. During the 1950s and 1960s the gas board were in compertition with the locally produced coal gas



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In the mid-20th century, the gas cooker revolutionized British kitchens, bringing convenience and efficiency to households across the country. From its humble beginnings in 1942 with a cabinet gas cooker in a British kitchen to the elaborate displays in shop windows and promotional roadshows by the East Midlands Gas Board, this appliance quickly became an essential part of everyday life. The gas stove, created by Shirley Markham in 1951, paved the way for modern cooking techniques. With its precise temperature control and instant heat, it allowed cooks to whip up delicious meals with ease. In Warwickshire's kitchen scenes captured by artist Michael Walters in 1966, we see families gathered around their trusty gas cookers, preparing hearty meals that nourished both body and soul. The East Midlands Gas Board played a significant role in promoting these innovative appliances. Their shop window displays showcased the latest models available while their cooking demonstrations highlighted the versatility of gas cookers for aspiring chefs. Whether it was Mexborough or Dronfield or even Darfield near Barnsley, South Yorkshire - communities were captivated by these promotions that brought them closer to culinary excellence. As time went on, more advancements were made to enhance user experience. The sleek designs of gas cookers seen through Worksop's shop windows demonstrated how style could seamlessly blend with functionality. It was clear that not only did these appliances serve as practical tools but also as stylish additions to any kitchen decor. Looking back at these historical snapshots reminds us of how far we've come since those early days when a simple cabinet gas cooker sparked a culinary revolution. Today's modern kitchens boast state-of-the-art appliances that owe their existence to pioneers like Shirley Markham and organizations like the East Midlands Gas Board. So let us celebrate this remarkable invention –the gas cooker– which has forever changed our relationship with food and continues to be an indispensable companion for home cooks everywhere.