unique and all original antique american industrial early 20th century wall mount painted green enameled lightening arrester box manufactured by the garton-daniels company for the electric service supplies co., chicago, il. the steel-hinged cover positioned directly below the slanted roof, contains lightly incised black enameled lettering in the form of manufacturer markings and lightning bolt design motifs. the arrester was likely used with light or power circuits of 750 volts or less. lightning arresters are devices used on electrical power systems to protect the insulation on the system from the damaging effect of lightning. the typical lightning arrester also known as "surge arrester" has a high voltage terminal and a ground terminal. when a lightning surge or switching surge travels down the power system to the arrester, the current from the surge is diverted around the protected insulation in most cases to earth. measures 7 x 5 1/2 x 15 1/2 inches.