c. 1920's american vintage industrial "solar system" self-closing factory waste receptacle. the tightly affixed hinged pyramidal top opens with ease for quick access and/or removal of rubbish. the bow tie shaped self-closing container was designed and patented by joseph w. hess. manufactured by the solar-sturges mfg. co., chicago, il. the solar-sturges company is a consolidation of the solar metal products company, of columbus, and the sturges-burh mfg. co., of chicago. solar-sturgis was well known in the dairy, ice cream manufacture, and architectural fields, being one of the largest manufacturers of ice cream and milk cans in the world and ranking well up in the matter of manufactures of fireproof doors, partitions, etc. the freestanding trash can contains a largely uniform bright cherry red enameled finish. the word "push" is lightly embossed on both sides of the self-closing lid. salvaged from the short-lived brand brewery complex, built in 1899, and closed shortly after prohibition in 1935. the brewery buildings were later occupied by a multitude of businesses including, but not limited to, a rubber factory, cold storage facility and most recently, s & g engineering and mfg. company. measures 11 x 11 x 34 inches.